FOR the second time in as many seasons, St George’s Lane will be hosting a match in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

However, like last year, it won’t be featuring Worcester City.

It is a sobering reality for all connected with the Blue Square South club that it is their British Gas Business Premier Division tenants Evesham United who are grabbing all the headlines, not to mention the money, in the competition.

Saturday’s excellent 2-0 victory over last season’s success story Chasetown, added to wins at Nuneaton Town and Leamington, has earned Paul West’s side £15,000 and a home draw against Blue Square Premier outfit Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday week.

They also made £12,000 in prize money last term when they reached the same stage before bowing out at Halifax Town in a replay.

Compare that to Worcester’s fortunes — without a win in the event since October 2006 following two second qualifying round defeats to Tamworth. The only money cash-strapped City made out of those games was a share of the gate receipts.

In fact, like it or not, at present the landlords are very much in danger of being put in the shade by their tenants.

Richard Dryden’s side may be doing well in the league but the Robins are going about their business with the minmium of fuss just one tier lower down the non-league pyramid.

It is also worth noting that, until the impressive scenes against AFC Wimbledon, City’s home record at the Lane left a lot to be desired.

Evesham, though, have not lost there since New Year’s Day. Go figure.

However, it is off the pitch that Evesham are beginning to make real strides. Like City, they have been striving for a new ground for more years than anyone cares to remember.

Unlike City, that dream is much closer to reality.

The Robins sold their ground for housing and will use the proceeds, along with a Football Foundation grant, to build a new stadium at Cheltenham Road in the town.

Chairman Jim Cockerton anticipates the club kicking-off the 2009/10 campaign in their new home and it sounds like it might be a pretty decent home too.

The 25-acre site will have seven full-size pitches, a grass training area, mini-soccer facilities, eight changing rooms, a function room and a main stand for 300 fans. All for around £2m.

City’s much-vaunted stadium may well be on a larger scale but there is little suggestion of anything like extra pitches or training areas for something that will eventually cost considerably more.

Assuming it gets the green light from the planners.

Next Tuesday, after a year of waiting, the club will finally put their Nunnery Way stadium designs in front of the public before submitting them to Worcester City Council.

To say the response has been muted would be putting it mildly.

Previous attempts have fallen foul of the authorities and there is much scepticism among fans and those anti-Nunnery Way surrounding the current project.

Evesham have been ground-sharing at the Lane for three years. City need to show they have got it right this time or they may find themselves needing a similar favour.