BE HONEST, did you expect it?

A 4-1 win at Grimsby Town has delighted and enthused many.

Playing at Blundell Park is not easy.

The crowd are large and noisy, always offering the referee advice and too often it is taken.

This is what happened on Saturday when a harsh penalty was awarded against Rovers.

Forest Green of the past may have faltered, but not this side.

They went for the jugular, dominating the remainder of the game.

If Grimsby made a mistake, Rovers cashed in.

After such a performance, there were many candidates for Man of the Match.

My nomination is for manager Mark Cooper.

A look at the team sheet and beyond it to the bench explains why.

The lessons of last summer have been learned and a raft of new players with youth and experience have arrived.

Mark also made some wise post match comments concerning caution.

He will not get carried away and we should all follow his example.

Patience may be needed on Saturday against Oldham Athletic.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club are testing my patience, however.

A marvellous away win against Sussex was followed by a loss against Glamorgan.

Qualification for the knockout stages of the T20 Blast is going to be difficult.

Surrey, Kent, and Somerset are very talented teams and will push us hard.

We host Surrey on Sunday, August 12 and Sussex on Thursday, August 16. These will be tough games.

On Thursday, August 9, Gloucestershire have another home game against Middlesex.

My diary is filling up, but space must be found for Forest Green’s meeting with Oldham on Saturday at Nailsworth.

Tesco shopping will be swift, and getting there early is a must.