THE year has started splendidly. Eight goals, four of them to Jon Parkin and most importantly of all - six valuable points.

The New Year’s Day win at Kidderminster was outstanding. The Aggborough team are firm play- off candidates and were three places above us in the league yet we went there and scored four goals.

Your columnist had an exclusive conversation with manager Ady Pennock before the game in which he revealed the gist of Rovers’ game plan. The pitch was cloying so Rovers planned to attack down the wings with wingers Norwood and Frear attacking the Kidderminster full-backs, neither of whom is the swiftest. Parkin scored two goals that showed just how calm and controlled a finisher he can be. He is now coming into his own as the leader of the attack.

Frear had his most incisive and industrious game of the season. In the team because Marcus Kelly is playing at left-back he frequently showed Jared Hodgkiss a clean pair of heals and of course we all know what Norwood can do.

Kevin Nicholson is not the quickest full-back and with Dale Bennett in overlapping form he was often out manoeuvred. Kevin however has still got use of a trusty left-foot and his long passes from defence were the mainspring of many Harriers’ attacks.

A clear cut penalty and a firm shot brought two Kidderminster goals as, with the wind and driving rain behind them they tried to battle back. Their efforts were of no avail and Rovers were full value for a two-goal victory.

I noticed two things at Aggborough that are worthy of comment. Firstly the 200-plus Rovers’ fans began to celebrate the flow of goals by dancing. They promised to continue on Sunday, but I could not see through the murk. Such exuberance is just what our players will relish. Kicked in the teeth and in more critical areas by the three point deduction they are now fighting back.

Aggborough is a fine ground to visit with a warm welcome, smiling stewards and some interesting food on offer. Unfortunately I was informed by a Forest Green fan who I am sure is an expert in such matters that his was burned on top and cold underneath.

One aspect concerned me in both Kidderminster matches and that was the treatment of Reece Styche by some Rovers fans. When at The New Lawn Reece never gave less than 100 per-cent. He is our third highest scorer of Conference goals many of which saved us from relegation. He did not deserve the booing he received.

Looking out of form and playing in a very subdued manner I wondered if he had recovered from the serious injuries he sustained in our service. He loves our club and I hope I am not alone in wishing him well.

On Sunday we saw more of the same. A strong, confident side creating chances and taking them. Last week I was critical but not today. The team are doing us proud, and in the second half they were very good indeed. Parkin has certainly found his goal scoring touch and Frear is getting better every game.

If Chris Stokes played at left-back and the admirable Marcus Kelly played further forward there would be no place for our talented winger. Chris is a valuable squad member, but unless there are injuries I see him remaining on the bench.

We did concede a soft goal, Welling passing the ball through a static central defence. Luke Oliver had his least convincing game for some time and when Oshodi and Coles are fit for selection he may return to the bench.

There were many candidates for Man of the Match and this time I thought the sponsors guessed correctly giving the award to James Norwood. Nors left the ground with his ankle heavily bandaged following a late injury, but nonetheless was in optimistic mood.

So he should be, and so should all his colleagues. They are now playing as we all hoped they would. Manager Ady has had a new year hair cut and it certainly has not had a Samson like effect on his team.

They are getting stronger! The return of former hero and goal scorer ‘Fleets’ surprised me. Apparently he had texted Ady saying he may be available on loan.

Swift action was taken and here he is. He had not been on the field long when he played a swift one-two with Nors who made scoring the fourth goal look easy. Ady intends to use his new signing as a fox in the box. It is going to be an exciting year.