Butterfield & Vallis United of the Corona League will be looking for another First Division scalp in the preliminary round of the FA Cup when they play Somerset Eagles at White Hill Field on Sunday.

B&V United thrashed BAA 5-1 last season thanks to a hat-trick from former Dandy Town player Lashun Dill. This year they will carry the flag for the Corona League as their only representative in the competition, hoping to advance to the first round for the second time.

“We have some new signings so we will be fielding a strong team,” Chirs Miles, a team official, said. “We are looking forward to the game on Sunday, looking to win again. Last year we didn’t do exactly as we wanted in the second round but this year we’re looking to go further.

“We have members of the team who work here at B&V, guys from the community and friends and family members.”

Eagles have managed just one win in their three league games so far, but will not be pushovers for B&V United. They reached the FA Cup final in 2010 when they were beaten by Devonshire Cougars on penalties after blowing a 2-0 half-time lead.

Armel Thomas, the Butterfield & Vallis coach, though believes experience can count for something against younger opponents.

The wholesale company team have some top names from the past in their ranks, Keith Jennings, Tokia Russell, Dennis Russell, Leroy Stevens, Anwar Hunt, Damian Mendoza and Toriano Trott.

“Our goal [this season] is to do better than we did in the league last year and to go further in the FA Cup,” Thomas said. “We’re looked upon as the underdogs and that’s how we like it. We’ve got enough depth to take us through.

“Last year we played BAA and I think we beat them on experience so we’re looking to do the same thing on Sunday. I’m very confident that Butterfield & Vallis will get a victory. This is only our second season in the league and we’re undefeated in the league and have good confidence going into this match.

“The main thing for us is to have fun and there is absolutely no pressure on us. The pressure will be on Eagles, but if they get beaten there shouldn’t be any shame, because you’re talking about ex-Bermuda players and we have the experience. They call me the ‘gaffer’.”

The Eagles team that reached the final five years ago contained the likes of Antwan Russell, Jaylon Bather and Daniel Andrade, who are all set to appear in a cup final next week with Robin Hood who will play PHC Zebras in the Dudley Eve Trophy final.

The Premier Division sides will not enter the FA Cup until the first round, as four preliminary matches are scheduled for this weekend to determine who joins St George’s, BAA (both have byes) and the ten First Division teams in the first round in January. Ireland Rangers are the only First Division team not entered for this season’s competition.

The FA Cup traditionally produced some intriguing matches as Commercial League teams relished playing against First and Second Division teams and occasionally caused upsets. Last season, B&V United and Tuffs took up the invitation by the BFA to become the first Corona League teams to enter the competition. B&V United advanced while Tuff Dogs, the then Corona League leaders, were beaten in a replay by Young Men’s Social Club.

This season’s competition begins tonight when Wolves take on St David’s, the joint First Division leaders, at Devonshire Recreation Club at 8pm. YMSC, who hold down the top spot in the league on goal difference, play Paget Lions on Sunday at PHC Field while X-Roads host Flanagan’s Onions at Garrison Field in the other tie.