<Bz11>BAA field could be turned into a modern-day equivalent of a Roman amphitheatre on Sunday with two Commercial sides facing the footballing equivalent of a Christians versus lions clash in the FA<\p>Cup.<Bz11>Commercial A outfit Island XI,
And while the both teams are looking to avoid ritual slaughter the omens are not looking good.
Island XI are struggling for players while Tuff Dogs are without their main goalkeeper.
But both camps are looking forward to Sunday despite the massive task facing them.
Island XI winger Ben Pewter said: “Cougars just won the Martonmere Cup and they have quite a few national squad players. It will be a tough game but anything is possible in football.”
While most Commercial sides are undone by the fitness gap when taking on Premier league sides the young squad of Island XI should be on a more even footing with most players in their mid twenties.
Pewter, 24, said: “We are a
Most teams have found them well organised in defence and Pewter is predicting a low-scoring match.
“We are starting to come together,” he said.
Consistency has been lacking due to ever changing line-up. Midfielder Nick Pewter and frontman Nathan Atcheson are both out with ankle injuries while central midfielder Teddy Terciera is off the island.
But the team have plenty of fighting spirit as seen in last season’s FA Cup encounter with Somerset Eagles who beat them 2-1 after extra time.
“That was very interesting. It was my favourite game of the season. It was so intense. We had no subs and one of the guys broke his metatarsal but played the whole game.”
Pewter is expecting a similar spirited performance on Sunday with a similar scoreline — although he hinted his team might just be the victors.
Meanwhile Tuff Dogs president Manny Faria said his team could not have got a tougher draw after landing Boulevard.
Asked which opposing player his team most feared he said: “Numbers one to 11.”
His team is also slowly finding form after an indifferent start which saw the hammered by MR Onions in the opening day and pick up a series of draws before finally beating Lobster Pot.
He certainly won’t be shackling his players in a bid to keep the score down, despite their chequered cup history. “We played North Village when they were riding high and only lost 3-1. Then a year later we played them again and lost 14-0.
“It’s bizarre you never know what to expect in these games.”
Meanwhile Boulevard are in scorching form having beaten fellow Premier team Paget 9-1 this season.
“It’s an awesome task we are facing, that’s for sure.”
But Dogs have some quality in their ranks with reliable frontman Jeff Franklin and Carlos Lopes. However Chris Pett and his brother Stephen Pett, the goalkeeper, are missing. “Stephen is serving a six game suspension.”
So in comes Manny’s brother Danny. “He played for the Bermuda Under-19s and Under-16s so it’s nothing new for him.”
Meanwhile Commercial A strugglers Lobster Pot face a tough trip to North Village, without their main striker Dave Allison who has retired. Young Men’s Social Club take on PHC while Dandy Town take on Somerset Trojans.
