Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 2 Kidderminster Harriers (4) 4

FORMER Bromsgrove Rovers player Martin O'Connor made a triumphant return to the Victoria Ground as the home side were tested thoroughly by Kidderminster on Wednesday, July 13.

Former Birmingham City player O'Connor, named as the Aggborough club's player/coach last week, produced a typically dominant display in the first half as a strong Harriers side, containing other new signings Daryl Burgess and Terry Fleming, ran into a 4-0 lead.

Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen fielded a strong team in the first half, handing debuts to new goalkeeper Lee Evans and midfielder Wayne Dyer, before making sweeping changes at half time.

Harriers' boss Stuart Watkiss fielded nearly a full strength side in the first half and they took the game to a sluggish looking home side.

Evans endured a testing debut as Harriers bossed the game in the first half and tore through Rovers at will.

The first goal came in the 16th minute, when Rovers were to slow to react to a cross from the right and Laurie Wilson slotted the ball home.

Iyseden Christie doubled Harriers' lead after the home side failed to clear a ricochet from defence in the 32nd minute.

Wilson added a third in the 40th minute, before former Aston Villa youth Michael Blackwood finished a slick passing move by rifling a shot under Evans on the stroke of half time.

Mullen made sweeping changes, bringing on Aaron Blakemore, Jo Wilson, Martin Ruddock, Ronnie Sayer, Scott Hadland, Matthew Barnes-Homer and Kevin Banner.

Harriers' latest new signing Gareth Sheldon was brought on for the visitors in the second half, while O'Connor was taken off.

Blakemore pulled a goal back when he raced onto a long ball forward by Evans and slotted the ball under substitute goalkeeper Dan Lewis in the 52nd minute.

Eight minutes later Hadland reduced the deficit with a rasping long range shot, which gave the scoreline a more respectable look for Rovers.

Rovers: Evans, Gardner (Wilson, 45mins), Hillman (Adams, 66mins), Male (Eccleston, 45 minutes), Collins, Erraji (Hadland, 45minutes), Johnson (Sayer, 45 minutes), Dyer (Ruddock), Mitchell (Barnes-Homer), Francis (Blakemore, 45min), Shaw (Banner, 45mins, (Daniels, 79mins)).

Harriers: Danby (Lewis, 45mins), Evans, Hatswell, O'Connor (Hurren, 45mins), Burgess, Jackson, Russell (Sheldon, 45mins), Fleming, Christie (Penn, 60mins), Wilson, Blackwood.

Referee: Mr Ian Scarr (Bromsgrove).

Attendance: 348.