DURING the fanfare of Andy Preece's unveiling last month, Worcester City chairman Dave Boddy shouted one of the player-manager's previous achievements from the rooftops.

"At Bury, one of his strengths was bringing young players through," said Boddy. "When he left Bury, there were eight players in the first team that had come through their youth academy and Andy was responsible for that."

Preece is undoubtedly a preacher of 'if he's good enough, he's young enough', although it remains to be seen to what extent he bloods his first team with Worcester's emerging academy crop in the coming weeks, months and years.

City's former boss John Barton often bore the brunt of criticism from the St George's Lane faithful in his favouritism of age and experience over raw youth and enthusiasm.

Time will tell if Preece holds a different approach to City's young players. Perhaps when the season is done and dusted, with City's Nationwide North status hopefully intact, Preece will have a close look at the teenagers coming through.

"He's obviously got more important things to worry about at the moment," said Worcester's youth development officer Ray Woods. "We had just a quick chat when he came here. Maybe when the season is over, he will tell me what he wants and what he is looking for."

If Preece is keeping a beady eye over the progress of City's academy side, he will have noticed a clutch of teenagers enjoying a fine season.

Second in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Southern Division, two points behind leaders Gloucester City with a game in hand, Worcester hold a terrific chance of promotion into the set-up's leading Premier Division.

Furthermore, the youngsters progressed to the semi-finals of three separate cup competitions, the Midland Combination Reserve Challenge Bowl, Worcestershire FA Youth Cup and, more encouragingly, the Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup.

Worcester's resolve will be tested to the limit in the latter as they travel to Sutton Coldfield, runaway leaders of the Premier Division.

Woods said: "This is the first time we've reached this far in the competition. To get to the last four is a great achievement but hopefully the lads can now step up again now the trophy is in sight.

"Sutton Coldfield are a very good side and if we want to be classed as a good side, then we have to go out there and try and beat them.

"Last year, the final was at West Bromwich Albion, but that was because they (West Brom) were in the final.

"I don't know whether it's going to be held there again. It would be fantastic for the lads, touch wood, if we do beat Sutton, if they could play on a big stage in the final."

The academy produced the likes of Shabir Khan (left) and Liam McDonald, both now part of the first team furniture, while Tom Hobbs, Luke Whittington and Dean Clarke have all been given a glimpse of Nationwide North or FA Trophy action.

Woods added: "The boys have done fantastically well this year. I think we've got a good crop of lads that have gelled well together. Virtually everybody we've played have said that we are one of the best teams around.

"The most important thing is to get lads into the first team. A couple took the step up earlier this season and they will have to grab their opportunity."