Commercial A Division side Vasco Mariners are in the right frame of mind to pull off the first FA Cup upset of the season as they take on Premier Division Somerset Eagles in a first-round match at White Hill Field tomorrow.

Following a shock 1-0 victory over previously unbeaten Commercial team MR Onions last weekend, Mariners get the chance to add a much bigger bigger scalp to their collection as they come up against a team of youngsters, who like themselves, are struggling in the league.

Mariners have managed to string together just two wins so far this season while Eagles have only one triumph - over Dandy Town - to show for their efforts.

And although Mariners coach Joe Barbosa admits tomorrow's opposition possess younger legs and are more used to playing on the large playing field at White Hill, he is pinning his hopes on experience to get the job done.

"We will certainly give it our best shot because the pressure will be on them. They will be expected to win," said Barbosa, who described last week's surprise win over Onions as one of the team's better performances of the season.

Mariners' hopes will rest heavily on the shoulders of striker Michael Bean, who is the club's leading scorer with four goals to his credit.

"Hopefully the players will give a solid performance and all contribute to the same cause, buckle down and try and grind out a good result . . . especially against what I would call much fitter and better quality opposition," added Barbosa. "But I would also like to think that we have experience on our side."

Mariners, however, will be aware that they are up against the same Eagles side who raised so many eyebrows last season when they made it into the FA Cup's final four before eventual winners North Village finally ended their run.

Elsewhere in tomorrow's opening round, runaway First Division leaders Hamilton Parish and rivals St. George's Colts collide at Lord's in what has all the makings of a hard fought battle.

Last season St. George's enjoyed their best run in the competition by making it through to the semi-finals where Dandy Town put paid to their hopes.

"The team that shows up more prepared will be the team to walk away with the goods," said the east enders' player/president Neil Paynter.

Southampton Rangers should not underestimate Commercial side Prospect/Fire when the two teams meet at Police Field. But Rangers are coming off a fine 4-2 midweek win over Wolves in the First Division Shield Competition and if they can reproduce that form then Prospect could be in for a long afternoon.

At BAA Field, BAA Wanderers tackle Prison Officers while in another all-Commercial Division affair, Key West Rangers take on Lobster Pot at St. John's Field.

First Division side Ireland Rangers host Valley at Malabar while Premier Division sides Devonshire Colts and PHC will do battle next Tuesday night at BAA Field.

In Women's FA Cup first round action, Hemisphere Royals meet defending champions Rude Girls at BAA Field while Prospect and Robin Hood Hurricanes square off against each other at Police Field.