NEWPORT, Wales (Interstat) — Substitute Harry McKirdy scored two goals in a stunning three-minute span early in the second half to propel Crawley Town to a 2-0 victory over Newport County in a League Two match on Friday, defying pregame projections that heavily favored the hosts.

The match, played before a crowd at Rodney Parade, was the season opener for both clubs in England’s fourth tier. The result immediately inverts expectations, handing Crawley Town a winning start and leaving Newport County searching for answers after a disappointing home defeat.

Crawley’s victory was particularly unexpected given the statistical forecasts. According to Interstat’s pregame analysis, Newport County was projected with a 72.30 percent probability to win. The organization’s game simulator had predicted a 1-1 draw, underscoring the surprising nature of the visitors’ decisive performance.

The first half was a physical, stop-start affair that yielded more cautions than clear chances. Referee James Oldham was busy, issuing five yellow cards before the break. Crawley’s Ben Lloyd was booked in the 12th minute, followed by teammate Lewis Richards in the 28th. Newport’s defender Cameron Evans saw a yellow in the 37th, and a flurry of cards ensued with Crawley’s McKirdy and Toby Adeyemo both booked in the 39th and 40th minutes, respectively.

The game transformed dramatically after the interval. McKirdy, introduced as a substitute, made an immediate and spectacular impact. He broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, finishing a move that according to available statistics included an assist from teammate Courtney Baker-Richardson.

Before the home supporters could settle, McKirdy struck again. Just two minutes later, in the 59th minute, he found the net a second time to double Crawley’s advantage. The buildup to the quickfire second goal involved assists from defender Cameron Evans and substitute Lewis Richards, as per the statistical record, highlighting a fluid team move.

Newport County struggled to mount a meaningful response against a now-energized and organized Crawley side. The Exiles’ frustration was compounded when forward Courtney Baker-Richardson received a yellow card in the 73rd minute. Crawley’s defense held firm to preserve the clean sheet, comfortably seeing out the remainder of the match.

The comprehensive nature of the win is reflected in the assist tally, with five different Crawley Town players—Cameron Evans, Lewis Richards, Courtney Baker-Richardson, Toby Adeyemo and Ben Lloyd—each credited with an assist on the available statline, demonstrating a wide-ranging contribution behind McKirdy’s clinical finishing.

With the result, Crawley Town begins its League Two campaign with a record of 1 win and 0 losses, while also moving to 1-0 across all competitions this season. Newport County starts 0-1 both in the league and overall. The teams will continue their League Two schedules next weekend, with Crawley Town buoyed by a statement victory and Newport County needing to regroup after a opener that fell far short of expectations.