WHEN the new Dr Martens Cup holders take to the pitch against league champions-elect Margate tomorrow, they'll face the stiffest test of their growing credentials.

It'll be another moment, too, to test the low-key talk between fans on the terraces and in the stands at St George's Lane about what's been happening before their eyes.

Low-key because anyone with a feeling for the club - that and a healthy dose of sporting superstition that says you don't tempt fate - will easily recall what can go wrong when heady anticipation turns flat.

Yet, today, let's allow ourselves the thrill of a peep at what might be and hope that, when Tony Moore files his match report for Monday's Green 'Un, we won't be disappointed.

As we do, it's worth remembering that, what John Barton inherited when he took over from Graham Allner was a team all but propping up the division.

Within 18 months, he's transformed the club into one which has earned its place among the high-flyers by right, not by fluke.

Barton, of course, has had the courage to blood local youngsters in his exciting side and it's rewarding, if ironic, that they're the ones who've been the catalyst for our cautious optimism.

Now, the enticing prospect is that, within 18 months.... but let's not run ahead of ourselves!

Let's simply leave it with the Early Day Motion which Worcester MP Mike Foster - a St George's Lane regular - has tabled in the House of Commons today.

It reads like this: "That this House congratulates the players, manager, staff, officials and supporters of Worcester City Football Club on winning the Dr Martens League Cup; wishes them every success next season and looks forward to seeing them move to a new, modern stadium on the outskirts of the city."

So say all of us.