Before a ball was kicked this season, Sutton United were among the bookies’ favourites to be relegated – not that Dean Beckwith was listening.

The defender has featured in all four of United’s opening games in the National League campaign, including Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Torquay United, thanks to Max Biamou’s overhead kick and a Nicky Bailey penalty.

It means United are unbeaten since the opening day hic-cup against Solihull Moors, and have now accounted for the scalps of Lincoln City and Torquay United.

Beckwith said: “I think we were third favourites to go down, but we don’t pay much attention to the bookies’ odds.

“After the Solihull game, you may have thought that the bookies have got it right, but it is a long season.

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“It’s a tough league, yes, but we have a lot of players who have played in this league or higher, so the experience levels are there.”

He added: “We’re only four games in, so nothing to get carried away by, but it has been a good start.”

United are sixth in the table ahead of this weekend’s visit of Macclesfield Town, and they may want to use the same tactic that did for Torquay in the early stages of Tuesday night’s win.

Macclesfield face a 208-mile journey to Sutton, almost 20 miles further than Torquay.

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Beckwith said: “[Against Torquay] we were at it from the start.

“We knew they had had a long journey with a difficulties getting here, so our game plan was to come out of the traps quickly and we did that.

”We had four or five chances in the first half to score, and Max scored a great goal.

“I don’t think they had too many clear-cut chances. They had a couple of decent set pieces with the threat from their big lad, but other than that we coped with them well.”

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Biamou is one of five new names to walk through the Gander Green Lane doors, and he came in for special praise following his first goal in United colours.

“Max came in a couple of weeks into pre-season and he is a good player,” said Beckwith.

“He’s quick, he’s strong, good in the air and has done so well. He did brilliantly for his goal, and got away for the penalty that Nicky tucked away.”

He added: “We have brought in some good players who have bought into what we’re going to do and how we’re going to play.

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“They can play football and, at home in particular where the pitch is good, we have players who can hurt teams. We’re confident, but not over-confident.”

One area of the side that has not changed too much is the back four and goalkeeper, and although Beckwith recognises their importance, he was quick to hail the work of others.

“We have stability and consistency at the back, which is important, but it is not just us,” he said.

“We have Nicky sitting in front of us and he does such a good job. He breaks up the play, he wins balls that are going into strikers’ feet.”

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Overhead: Max Biamou opens his Sutton United account in spectacular fashion