NL: Torquay United v Halifax 3pm 26 November 2021

link - Hall starts!

Oh dear 0-3 Predictably Billy rubbing salt into the gaping wound.
Never in a million years did I think we would be struggling so badly this season.
No hiding place for anyone now something will have to change soon and I don't mean the manager, or we really will be in a desperate situation.

For sure Stig the warnings signs were there for all to see right from the start of the season when most of our better players left the building and GJ was rushed into signing players who are nowhere near up to standard.

The worst thing to happen to the club was reaching the playoff final. Seems a ridiculous thing to say but its at very the core to most of our current problems.
Budget was undoubtedly cut back we lose the core of avery good side and this is the inevitable result.
I hope we stick with Garry - just a few months ago he was God and the best manager we have had in recent times.
I personally don't see any alternative thats if he still wants the pressure and abuse he will no doubt receive from a minority.

In addition to lack of funds and our National League status..I think our geographic location might also make it difficult to attract players.Some players seem reluctant to move to Devon.
Having said that Exeter and Plymouth not doing too badly at the moment.

Point well taken Rags. Additionally there seems to be little difference in the quality of football being played in the NL and League 2 this season.

Another defeat today and until we scored two late goals it was looking like another heavy home defeat. At least our two late goals helped our goal difference and hopefully boosted our morale a bit. The way the second half was going at 3-0 there was a real danger we would totally capitulate and the score line would get embarrassing. I feared another Woking type defeat where they won 4-0 and should have won by a lot more. Like Woking, Halifax fully exposed our weaknesses today. They looked physically stronger, fitter, played some lovely quick, slick football. Moreover they had strikers who could finish. Their first two goals were beautiful strikes by Slew out of the reach of MacDonald. It was no surprise that Waters got on the score sheet as well. Torquay in comparison were too ponderous in their build ups and lack any presence in attack for much of the match.

Torquay started brightly enough and had one or two chances early on and some corners. Wynter got the ball in the net but it was disallowed and Torquay were playing a lot better than they did against Dover. We were getting into dangerous areas. Halifax then grew into the game and their quality was evident. MacDonald made two worldly saves to deny two certain goals. Somehow he saved the intial shots and then reacted by clawing the ball away and then saving again – a triple save. A few minutes later he blocked another clear chance and Lapsie saved the day with a goal line clearance. The warning signs were there how clinical Halifax were in attack.

Halifax finally took the lead with a wonderful low powerful shot into the bottom corner from outside the box that gave MacDonald no chance. Halifax then stamped their authority on the game and Torquay’s early promise was dwindling.

The game was put to rest in the opening 5 minutes of the second half. There was some lovely slick passing leading to the second goal and the shot was again pin point and impressive. Waters finished off when clear through and at 3-0 it was game over. There was a gulf in class between the two teams and we were fully exploited again by a decent team. It was now a fun stroll for Halifax.

Torquay used their three substitutions in the second half. Incredibly two defenders were replaced by midfielders / strikers. Don’t ask me who was playing in defence or what our formation was with only two recognized defenders left. I feared Halifax would seriously take us apart but our substitutes gave us some much needed drive and energy and gave Halifax something to think about.

Lolos near fulltime turned his defender in the penalty box and slotted the ball home. Then a minute later Little hit a speculative long range shot that bounced just in front of the keeper. The keeper mistimed his dive and suddenly it was 2-3! There was 5 minutes of added time and Torquay poured forward with an excited crowd but sadly there was no fairytale equalizer.

In truth Halifax were much better than us over the match and the 2-3 scoreline made the match closer than it really was. There is no doubt we are not good enough for this league and we are in a relegation battle. It’s been a dreadful season from game one and there has been little improvement.

We don’t have enough physical presence, no real pace and no recognized striker to score goals. MacDonald has been outstanding since his return, Lewis is our best defender by some distance and Little has got really good vision and can score. It’s just a shame other players are not on his wavelength a lot of the time and don’t make the appropriate runs. The MOTM was awarded to Wynter to some applause and no booing.

Where do we go from here, that is the big question now? Hopefully everyone has now woken up to the fact that we are in a relegation battle and won’t be saying absurd things about how many points we are off from the play-offs. We have a relegation fight on our hands!