NORTHWICH manager Neil Redfearn admits he has huge problems in the Blue Square Premier after this comprehensive defeat by a superior Torquay side at the Victoria Stadium.
With only one point from three games, his hastily re-built side will continue to struggle unless he can instil some heart and fight as well as bringing in some sorely-needed reinforcements.
Redfearn said: “We were too easily beaten. I can accept honest mistakes, but lack of fight and spirit is just not on. I have some work to do before our next match on Saturday at Crawley.”
Demoted from League Two in May, early table-toppers Torquay should be among the favourites for a rapid return with strong, experienced players in all departments. They had the game virtually won within 26 minutes with two well-taken goals by Tim Stills, with a raking shot from an inch-perfect cross by Kevin Nicholson, then a flick-in from an acute angle by Lee Phillips.
Michael Byrne hit the angle of bar and post after 40 minutes, but this was virtually the only time Simon Raynor was troubled before the interval.
The Devon side coasted through the second period with Vics helpless to make any headway until they surprisingly opened their account on 78 minutes. Paul Tait was the marksman, getting a faint last touch in the goalmouth after a smart move linking Ryan Brown and Chris Williams.
Torquay completed the scoring in 88 minutes when a breakaway caught Mark Birch and Michael Welsh short of pace and Phillips tucked away his second.
