Champions North Village will begin their FA Cup title defence against Dandy Town after the two Premier Division rivals were pitted together in the first-round draw this week.

The Pembroke clubs have already met twice this season — in the Charity Cup and Dudley Eve Trophy group stage — with Hornets coming away victorious on each occasion.

Village coach Cal Dill Jr took the draw in stride.

“Another 90 to 120 minutes we have to prepare for, and just like any other game we cannot take the opponents for granted,” he told The Royal Gazette.

Village beat Devonshire Cougars 2-0 in April for their eleventh FA Cup title, joining PHC Zebras at the top of the heap.

The Village-Town tie is one of two pitting top-flight teams, with Paget Lions facing Young Men’s Social Club in the other all-Premier Division showdown.

PHC and Boulevard will square off against First Division sides Somerset Trojans and Robin Hood respectively, with remaining top-flight sides St George’s Colts, Devonshire Colts, X-Roads Warriors and Cougars drawn against Corona League opponents.

St George’s will face FC Rhino, Devonshire Colts take on Young Gunz Sound FC, X-Roads will tackle Inter Bermuda, and Cougars will do battle with Island Bulls.

Inter Bermuda, FC Rhino and Young Gunz upset First Division opponents Somerset Eagles, Wolves and St David’s Warriors respectively in the preliminary round, while Island Bulls received a bye when Hamilton Parish withdrew from the competition.

The first round will be held in the weekend of January 23 to 25.