Chris Holroyd fired a hat-trick to give Wrexham AFC new fire in their Vanarama National League promotion bid.
Holroyd’s treble, taking his tally to 11 in 19 starts this season, led Wrexham to a 4-0 win and left bottom club Torquay United facing a major relegation battle.
“Chris is a delight, a great pro,” said Wrexham manager Dean Keates: “I brought him in and knew he was going to score goals.
“He’s intelligent and when we asked him to play in a different position he’s gone about his business and not moaned.
“He earned his reward against Torquay.
“It just shows what kind of a pro he is. Chris has moved to the left, ended up in good areas and earned his reward.”
Torquay selected new signings Alex Fletcher and former Cardiff City playmaker Tommy O’Sullivan, but they could not impress because Wrexham were completely in control.
Keates named an unchanged Dragons team from their 3-3 draw against Barrow and they are now unbeaten in four matches.
Wrexham’s next match is at Hartlepool in a fortnight, on Saturday, January 20, while promotion rivals Tranmere Rovers visit the Racecourse a week later.
“The lads were awesome,” said Keates after the win against Torquay. “Full credit to the lads, they were outstanding today.
“During the second half it wasn’t great and we weren’t as fluent as we wanted to be, but we counter-attacked and earned the win we needed.”
There was good news for Wrexham players when they returned to the home dressing room because National League leaders Macclesfield, Holroyd’s home-town club, failed to beat Solihull Moors and the gap to Wrexham is now seven points.
“Chris has been and that’s testament to him really,” said midfield plater Sam Wedgebury. “It’s not just Chrissy, but also those supplying him. We have Bodes (Scott Boden) working his socks off and George (Miller). They’re all grafters and top pros.”
Keates is now intent on strengthening his squad with 14 league fixtures to play and says: “We have a two-week window now. I’d like to think we’ll have a striker in the building within the next seven days.
“We’re looking at other positions. We want to add to the squad. We probably need a few more numbers to just give us a bit of strength. But I want players who are going to force the lads in the team to perform better.”
Holroyd’s first goal went in after nine minutes, while he completed his treble with goals in the 37th and 89th minutes. Manny Smith was their other scorer, netting six minutes before half-time.
Wrexham (4-4-2): Dunn, Roberts (Carrington 46), M Smith, Pearson, Jennings (Hurst 88), Rutherford (Mackreth 82), Wedgbury, Kelly, Holroyd, Boden, Miller. Subs: Dibble, Wright.
Torquay United (5-3-2): Dorel, Dowling, Efete, Andresson, McGinty, Davis, Lathrope (Gosling 78), Young, O’Sullivan, Fletcher (Keating 61), Reid. Subs not used: Clarke, Pittman, Myrie-Williams.
Referee: Karl Evans.
Attendance: 4,242 (67 away)
