SUSSEX goalscoring sensation Matt Russell is set to sign for Crawley.

Russell, scorer of 37 goals for Horsham YMCA and Sussex this season, has impressed Reds boss Billy Smith so much he is being asked to sign dual forms until the end of the season.

Smith, after seeing the 20-year-old PE student at Redhill on Tuesday night, met with YM boss John Suter and expressed his interest.

The Reds boss said: "His goalscoring record speaks for itself and I don't believe he'll find it hard to make the step up to the Dr Martens League. It's more likely he'll teach us a thing or two, rather than the other way round. He's scored almost as many as my entire team this year.

"A lot of people run down the County League, but I don't. There's a lot of useful lads in it and the likes of Jay Lovett, Danny Wackett and Nigel Brake were all signed from there.

"He's a tidy player, makes good runs and will be a useful person to have in our squad. It's always good to have another forward up your sleeve."

Smith left Redhill at half time. YM went on to win 1-0, but surprisingly on this occasion Russell did not find the mark.

Suter has a gentlemen's agreement with his forward, who is not under contract, that he will remain at Gorings Mead until the end of this season.

And the Crawley boss admitted: "I'm aware he's staying at YM until the end of the year and respect that. But I've asked John if we can sign the boy on dual forms, so he can be released to us if we're short of strikers."

The YM boss has discussed the proposal with Russell over the last week and conceded: "It could happen."

He said: "Matt doesn't have a problem signing dual forms and it'll give him the chance to see how he'd do at a higher level. But we both know his first allegiance until the end of the season is with us."

Crawley face a brusing relegation tussle at Merthy Tydfil tomorrow and Smith has a fully-fit squad, apart from midfielder Rod McAree (ligaments). He welcomes back defender Danny Wackett, who has recovered from an ankle injury.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.