A SWIFT start to the season has come as a surprise for boss Rod Brown who is used to seeing his Stourport side begin slowly.

Swifts launched their first Dr Martens League Western Division campaign with a 2-0 home win over Shepshed Dynamo followed by Tuesday's 1-0 success at Racing Club Warwick.

Their tight defence has especially impressed Brown who is now plotting shock results over two of the fancied teams in the division.

Swifts head to Clevedon Town on Saturday before entertaining Worcestershire rivals Evesham United, managed by Kidderminster's Phil Mullen, on Bank Holiday Monday with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Brown is desperate for his men just to survive at this level and has set a target of 35 points to stay up -- but the early results would seem to suggest they can make an impact.

He admitted: "I've been a little surprised because we've never started well in my five seasons here.

"We're always a side that gets better as the season goes on. But we've worked hard in pre-season and it's paid off. Defensively, we are so strong and haven't conceded a goal yet.

"I'm still pinching myself a bit because we've beaten two mid-table teams and looked more of a finished article than them.

"It's early days yet and every team who wants to sustain their position in the league needs a good start. But we can go and relax a little bit in our next two games."

Swifts, who have fielded the same 11 for the past two games, hope to make no changes for the trip to Clevedon who were relegated from the Premier Division last season.

And 2000/01 top scorer Lee Booth already has two goals to his name.

Brown declared: "Clevedon will be strong - they've spent a bit of money to try and get themselves back up -- and I'd be very pleased with a point there and the same against Evesham.

"Eight points out of the first 12 for a side like us would be a phenomenal start. I would have been quite pleased just to get four from the first nine to be honest."

But Brown is becoming more optimistic as time goes on as he explained: "We've got a good squad with a lot of experienced players at this level.

"The boys in the team are fighting hard to keep their places which is creating more enthusiasm.

"What I like is I've spoken to people who watch us regularly and they've said we look an improved side from last season.

"The difference compared to the Midland Alliance is the faster pace but despite that you get more time to get the ball down and play it which suits us as we like to play football."