Hamilton Parish have pulled out of the FA Cup citing a lack of match fitness.

The Hot Peppers were scheduled to face Corona League side Island Bulls in the first match of a FA Cup preliminary round double-header at White Hill Field on Sunday.

“As you may know after our rollercoaster of a season last year, we lost 16 players in the transfer window and more during the late transfer window — most of whom were included in the starting XI of our Premier Division team,” new Parish coach Makhail Saltus told The Royal Gazette.

“We are in the rebuilding phase of the men’s team, relying solely on previous Parish players who haven’t been active for some time and require time to reach the fitness levels needed to compete.”

Parish, who also lost the services of coach Sergio Goater to Robin Hood at the end of last season, were heading into the match fresh off a humbling 15-0 defeat by Southampton Rangers in their First Division opener at Wellington Oval last weekend.

The Hot Peppers’ demise comes just months after lifting the Dudley Eve Trophy — the club’s first major silverware.

FA Cup preliminary round action begins today with Somerset Eagles, of the First Division, hosting Corona League opponents Inter Bermuda at White Hill Field (2pm).

The weekend’s biggest tie will see past winners Southampton Rangers and Robin Hood locking horns in a potentially explosive affair at Southampton Oval tomorrow (2.30pm).

Both teams, who have four FA Cup titles between them, are riding high heading into the contest, having recorded big wins in their league openers. Rangers thrashed relegated Parish while Hood cruised to an equally convincing 6-2 win over Vasco.

New Hood coach Goater is wary of the task facing his team in what is expected to be hostile terrain.

“It’s a tough tie and home match for them,” Goater said.

“They are coming off a huge win, so confidence will be sky high. But we have prepared well and are going to be ready.”

Rangers coach Quincy Hunt, who is also in his first season with the club, declined to comment.

Elsewhere tomorrow, nine-times champions Somerset Trojans host Corona League side Terrace Onions at Somerset Cricket Club in a game the home side are heavily favoured to win.

Like Rangers and Hood, Trojans got their season off to a flyer last weekend with a confidence-boosting 2-0 triumph at home to Wolves.

Also on tap tomorrow is the match pitting First Division St David’s Warriors against Corona League outfit Young Guns at Lord’s. St David’s are also heading in with momentum, having edged Eagles 1-0 in their league opener.

The remaining tie will see Corona League side FC Rhino face Wolves in the first game of a double-header at Southampton Oval (noon).

Tomorrow’s games start at 2pm unless otherwise stated.