Scott Lindsey not taken by surprise as Crawley’s stunning start continues

Posted Sunday, October 01, 2023 by PA

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey is not surprised his side are up to second in League Two after they beat rock-bottom Sutton 3-0.

After suffering their worst campaign since promotion to the EFL last season, there has been a transformation at the Broadfield Stadium and the Reds are now boasting their best start since coming up in 2011.

An early goal from Adam Campbell sent the hosts on their way and Laurence Maguire and Danilo Orsi added further goals in the second half as Crawley recorded a fourth straight league win.

“We expect good results because of the work we put in,” Lindsey said.

“Within the group, we felt we could do what we’ve done.

“We feel we will always score goals but we do need to be stingier at the back.

“This was our first clean sheet since the opening day and we have spoken about us needing around 20 over the season so we need to do better.

“We know that football can kick you in the teeth.

“So we must remain professional and I will not allow us to get complacent.”

Sutton manager Matt Gray felt the turning point of the game arrived when Crawley added their second goal from a free-kick which he was convinced should have gone the way of his bottom-of-the-table side.

“I’m not happy with that as it was a blatant free-kick to us,” Gray said.

“But we should have taken one of our many chances to go in level or ahead at half-time.”

Sutton, who lost keeper Dean Bouzanis to a hip injury shortly after the break, have now lost eight of their last nine league games, but Gray is convinced results will soon turn.

He added: “Over the last two weeks I’ve been pleased with the performances and I was in parts today.

“A little bit of fortune would be nice. A couple of decisions going for us, and a bit of rub of the green will help turn it.

“I was disappointed with the second goal today, our disallowed goals and the penalty shouts.

“We need to make sure we get that result and we can kick on from there.”