W<$>INNING the FA Cup is incentive enough for any local team, but even more so this year for three of the island’s most successful teams. Defending champions North Village, PHC and Somerset Trojans will be chasing history in this season’s competition . . . namely the first team to win the prized trophy 10 times. It should have been achieved years ago by either the Zebras or Trojans who have sat on nine wins since the early 1990s — twice as many wins in the competition as North Village whose five triumphs in the seven finals of this millennium leaves them in a position to become the most successful team in the competition. Tuesday’s first round draw at the Captain’s Lounge kept all the seven remaining Premier Division teams apart, meaning that all of them could feature in the last eight of the competition late in the season.

The only team outside the Premier Division guaranteed to be in the quarter-finals are either First Division side Prospect or Commercial outfit Valley FC who were drawn against each other as the last names to be pulled out of the cup for the February 4 fixtures.

Prospect reached the final just three years ago when they were hammered 5-1 by North Village. They look favourites to reach the quarter-finals again, possibly going into the hat with seven Premier Division sides as the draw was friendly to them as well, pitting them against either First Division or Commercial League opponents.

And while the competition always has a surprise result or two, there aren’t likely to be many in the second round. Devonshire Cougars assistant coach Gary (Tuba) Mallory couldn’t hide his excitement when the Martonmere Cup champions were handed an away tie with First Division outfit Southampton Rangers. Even, so he warned about overconfidence, knowing that Rangers, coached by former Cougars midfielder Brian (Bulla) Anderson, are capable of pulling off an upset. Anderson will also relish going up against his former team.

“The FA is a funny thing, it’s about who wants it on the day,” said Mallory. “We’re satisfied with the draw but we have to give respect to them, too. They’re playing at their field so we’ll show them respect, but at the same time we’re going for it.

“It’s a cup to win and we intend to give out best for each trophy that we’re going for. It’s a favourable draw.”

Cougars were stopped in the semi-finals last year by Dandy Town who went on to lose to Village 4-1 in the final. But there will be no Town to contend with this season as they are already out of the cup after losing to Somerset Trojans in the elimination round recently.

“We’re due for one (easier opponent) because in the last couple of years we’ve had all the top teams,” said Mallory. “We’ll show respect for ‘Bulla’ Anderson who is coaching up there, who I know is going to have his boys ready.”

The first team out in the draw were First Division leaders Ireland Rangers, with Somerset Trojans next out in what should be an interesting west end derby. The Trojans’ cup history makes them firm favourites but Ireland Rangers will be up for it.

“It’s very much a derby,” said Somerset chairman of football, Josef Gooden who admits it could be a tricky tie.

“They are playing well, top of the league in the First Division so it’s going to be a hard game. But if we apply ourselves and come to play then we should come out victorious. We won’t underestimate them, they took points off us last year when they were in the Premier Division so we know of their capabilities and they know ours. It should be a very good game.”

Added Gooden: “We still have a lot of work to do, but it’s one game at a time. The fellas had a hard loss on Sunday but we’ll be back to the drawing board this week in training. It was a big let-down from the previous week and we need to be more consistent, especially in the league. Hopefully we’ll work it out.” Somerset haven’t won the FA Cup since 1990, two years before PHC’s last success — far too long for teams that used to win cups on a regular basis.

Who will reach the 10-win milestone is anybody’s guess, but the Rams, considering their record in the competition lately, should be a good place to put your money.

The Rams are at home, playing hosts to X-Roads, as they set their sights on the record. The Zebras are also at home, to Commercial champions Key West Rangers, in the first match of a double-header at Southampton Oval which also features Rangers and Cougars.

Boulevard should also advance when they take on Somerset Eagles while Paget host St. George’s Colts at White Hill and St. David’s take on Devonshire Colts who could produce the upset of the day.

Dandy Stars and St. George’s both received byes into the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup, leaving Prospect, Lady Rams, Lady Cougars and Somerset Hurricanes to battle for the two remaining spots. The two matches on February 4 sees Prospect playing Rams and Cougars taking on Somerset.

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Draw<$>

Men’s FA Cup

Ir.Rangers v Somerset (Malabar), Paget v St. George’s (White Hill), North Village v X-roads (Bernard Park), St. David’s v Dev. Colts (St. David’s), Southampton Rangers v Dev. Cougars (Southampton Oval 2.30), PHC v Key West (Southampton Oval 12.30), Boulevard v Som. Eagles (BAA Field); Prospect v Valley (Police Field).

Women’s FA Cup<$>

Prospect v Lady Rams (Police Field), Lady Cougars v Somerset Hurricanes (White Hill).

Commercial KO Cup

(Matches to be played on December 16)

Bermuda Pest Control v Tuff Dogs, St. George’s All-Stars v North Village, Lobster Pot v Island XI, Boulevard v MR Onions, Valley v PHC, Somerset Extros v Vasco Mariners, Dandy Town A v Key West, Robin Hood v Dev. Lions.

Three sides gunning for magical tenth FA Cup title