Devonshire Colts coach Ray Jones was all smiles at Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) FA Challenge Cup draw yesterday.

And for good reason as the current FA Cup holders have been pitted against Commercial outfit Pest Control in the first round of the prestigious competition next week.

Before the dust had settled at BFA headquarters early yesterday afternoon pundits were already predicting a Colts blowout, with Jones no less confident his troops can advance to the quarter-finals for the second straight season.

"To have Pest Control come out of the hat was an excellent pick for us . . . . we couldn't have asked for anything better," he grinned. "This is an excellent pick for us to start off the defence of our title."

Colts made history last season in becoming the first First Division side to lift the coveted FA Cup after upstaging Premier rivals Boulevard at the National Sports Centre (NSC). And Jones is hoping lightening will strike twice for a Colts side that have lifted the coveted showpiece on four other occasions since their first triumph in 1972-73.

"FA Cup is all about the mental approach and we won't be taking anything for granted," he said. "As defending champions we are going to be up for the match because the trophy is still in the cabinet and we want to hold onto it."

Understandably, PHC executive Cal Waldron was less enthusiastic as Jones after it was announced Zebras will meet rivals North Village, who like the men in black, are also gunning for an unprecedented tenth overall FA Cup title this season.

"That's the draw and either way I think the first and second teams in the league were bound to bump into each other," he told The Royal Gazette. "If we can eliminate them then it's all up to us to control our own destiny.

"All we can do is prepare ourselves for the day and if all goes accordingly we should be successful."

Apart from Zebras and Rams, the remaining top flight teams managed to avoid each other.

Dandy Town, who ousted Devonshire Cougars in the last round, will now meet First Division Somerset Eagles, last year's beaten finalists Boulevard take on St. George's Colts while Ireland Rangers should come away victorious over a Social Club side that won three successive FA Cup titles in the 1960s.

Inaugural FA Cup winners BAA take on Key West Rangers, who earned a reprieve when their preliminary round conquerors Somerset Trojans were booted from the competition for fielding an ineligible player against the Commercial outfit at Somerset Cricket Club last November, while Lobster Pot lock horns with Prospect United and Wolves tackle Southampton Rangers.

The BFA also held the draw for the Friendship Trophy and First Division Shield yesterday.

In the Friendship last year's beaten finalists Devonshire Cougars take on PHC Zebras while North Village take on Devonshire Colts.

In the Shield Somerset Eagles will come up against Southampton Rangers while St. David's Warriors square off with Prospect United for the right to advance to the March 30 final.

In the quarter-finals of the Commercial KO Cup, BAA have been paired with Valley FC, St.George's All-Stars take on Lobster Pot, North Village Rams meet Tuff Dogs with MR Onions 'A' poised to do battle with Dockyard Falcons.