NO player has reaped more benefit from Graham Allner's arrival as Worcester City manager than teenage midfielder Steve Lutz.

The 19-year-old, who rejoined the club earlier this season after a brief spell with Pershore Town, has started all but one match since Allner's appointment last month.

He was rewarded for some solid displays by scoring City's second goal in their 2-0 win over Ilkeston Town on Saturday -- his first goal for the first team although he has netted regularly for the reserves.

Lutz first signed for his home-town club in the summer of 1997, having been released by Birmingham City after a two-year YTS programme, and played a handful of first-team games last season.

But he said: "I ended up leaving because I wasn't being given the chance or the opportunities that I wanted."

He joined Pershore early this season, saying: "I wanted games to keep my fitness up, but left there after a while because I found the standard of football wasn't that great.

"As soon as I found that George (Rooney) had left I thought I would come back and give it another try under a different manager, and it is working quite well at the moment."

Before joining City, Lutz played a handful of friendlies for Kidderminster Harriers, where he first came to the attention of Allner.

Lutz was plunged straight into the team for Allner's first game in charge at Cambridge City, and he has held on to it, playing in a number of different positions.

"Luckily for me, since Graham has come in he has given me the chance I wanted, and I am just trying to take the opportunities I can.

"If I can keep playing well, I can't see why I shouldn't keep my place in the team. I just have to keep playing well and keep being consistent," said the teenager

City, looking for their third successive league win, have a home derby clash with Halesowen Town in the Dr Martens League Premier Division on Saturday.

The visitors are expected to include former Worcester striker Evran Wright in their line-up.

Next Tuesday City are away to lowly Rothwell Town in another Premier Division game.

Wednesday, February 24, 1999.