Martonmere Cup semi-finalist opponents North Village and Wolves will also meet in the first round of the FA Cup, after a new draw format pitted them against each other yesterday.

For the first time all the registered teams (29) will be thrown into the draw from the outset, a move BFA secretary David Sabir and League and Cup Competitions chairman Craig Tyrrell feel will help regenerate waning interest in soccer's most prestigious cup.

"In the past couple of years we have noticed that attendance and gate receipts have not been that great for what we consider to be the premier competition in our domestic schedule,'' said Tyrrell.

"So we decided a format of `all in' might attract more fans, especially if you get a Commercial team against a Premier Division team and the Commercial team is able to shine. We just think it might be a good injection into football this season.'' Added Sabir: "With an `all-in' it's really a true FA Cup competition, meaning that the eventual champions will have passed through all the rounds. It will bring some validity back to the FA Cup competition.'' Over the years the Commercial and Second Division teams fought it out in the first two rounds before the surviving six joined the 10 First Division team in the draw for the last 16. That increased the chances of a Commercial or Second Division team reaching the quarter or semi-finals, as was the case with Robin Hood several years ago.

It's a format Somerset coach Josef Gooden feels should have been retained, even though he accepts the BFA's attempt to boost interest for the spectators.

"My personal view is they should have left it as it is,'' said Gooden who will go up against his former team Devonshire Cougars in the first round.

"The way the format is set up now doesn't guarantee that the final will be amongst the top teams. But now there is more excitement because from day one there are exciting games.

"It has its merits, you can argue that Premier Division teams should come in in the second round or that they should be in from the get-go. Maybe this might bring the fans out.'' About his team's chances, Gooden said: "It's a pretty good draw for us, Cougars just got relegated and they are very competitive. We played them in pre-season match and it ended up in a draw.

It's a difficult game for us but if we apply ourselves we should do well.'' The first round will be spread over two weekends, October 24 and November 11, but an `elimination round' round will have to be inserted in order to have eight teams left for the quarter-finals. Devonshire Colts, as the defending champions, have a first round bye.

The feature matches will be Village and Wolves at Bernard Park on October 24 and Boulevard, the most successful FA team in the 1990s with four wins, taking on Southampton Rangers in the two all-Premier Division ties.

Robin Hood, BAA Wanderers and Fire Services, the top three teams in the Commercial League last season, have avoided Premier Division opponents. Fire and BAA will meet each other at Police Field while Robin Hood take on another Commercial team, Prison Officers.

Two teams were missing from the draw, First Division Paget and new Commercial team Cleveland, for what Sabir tactfully calls "various administration obligations which had not been met by the clubs.'' First Round October 24 North Village v Wolves, Bernard Park 2.30; Bermuda Pest Control v Vasco, Bernard Park, 12.30; St. George's v Dandy Town, Wellington Oval, 2.30; Fire Service v BAA, Police Field 2.30; Lobster Pot v St. David's, White Hill 12.30; Ham. Parish v Valley, Wellington Oval 12.30; Robin Hood v Prison Officers, 2.30.

November 14 PHC v Somerset Eagles, Somerset 2.30; Tuff Dogs v Prospect, Somerset 12.30; YMSC v Ir.Rangers, Bernard Park 2.30; Southampton v Boulevard, Southampton Oval 2.30; Dev.Cougars v Somerset, Devonshire Rec. 2.30; St. George's All-Stars v MR Onions, Wellington Oval 2.30; Belco v Exiles, St. John's field 2.30.

Glory dreams: 29 teams will fight for the new FA Cup trophy.