the FA Cup, after yesterday's first round draw at Bermuda Football Association headquarters confirmed some interesting match-ups for January 14.

Southampton Rangers was the first name to be pulled out of the box, while Mariners were the last. Inbetween there was plenty of speculating as the names were pulled out one by one, with champions Vasco being the 14th of the 16 to be picked followed by the team they beat in last year's final, Devonshire Cougars.

Of the three Commercial Division teams still in the competition, only Mariners were drawn against a non-First Division team as they came out next to Cougars.

That match leaves both sides with the best chance of the lower division teams to advance to the quarter-finals on February 4.

"As far as we're concerned it's not going to be an easy game but it's better than getting Vasco or Boulevard,'' said Dennis Rodrigues, the Mariners player-coach.

Mariners beat another Second Division team, Hamilton Parish, convincingly on Sunday and are confident of their chances of repeating that feat against Cougars who beat Wolves on Sunday to establish themselves at the best team in that division.

"We feel pretty good about that (draw),'' said Rodrigues. "I think we'll go into this game feeling pretty confident.

"We will not be taking them lightly but as far as we're concerned it's a realistic draw. We'll see just how strong they are. On the day the ball is round and can go in either direction.'' Commercial Division Forties travel to Southampton Oval to meet First Division team Rangers while Fire Service, who are also capable of springing another surprise, go to St. David's to meet Boulevard in the opening match of a double-header.

Forties also got a First Division team last year in the first round when they were beaten 3-0 by Devonshire Colts.

St.David's, who beat Belco last night in their rescheduled match, got the team everybody wanted to avoid -- champions Vasco -- and in the first round for the second straight season. Last year Vasco beat them 3-1 at that stage.

Ironically St.David's also played Vasco in the first round of the FA Cup in 1992-93 when they won 1-0 on a Jerry Laws goal. St. David's were in the First Division then while Vasco were a Second Division team. Both teams' fortunes have changed plenty since.

There are three all-First Division ties, with Dandy Town taking on North Village, struggling Devonshire Colts and Somerset Eagles meeting at Frog Lane and St. George's hosting PHC at Wellington Oval.

All three have already met this season, with North Village beating Town to clinch a Martonmere Cup semi-final spot. Eagles picked up their only win so far when they beat Devonshire Colts at Frog Lane while St. George's beat PHC in an entertaining match at Wellington Oval.

In a women's FA Cup match on November 28, BAA will meet Dandy Stars at Somerset.

FA Cup draw: Southampton v Forties (Southampton Oval), Dandy Town v North Village (St.John's Field), Devonshire Colts v Somerset Eagles (Frog Lane), Social Club or Lobster Pot v Somerset (TBA), Boulevard v Fire Service (St.David's 12.30), St.George's v PHC (Wellington Oval), St.David's v Vasco (St.David's 2.30), Devonshire Cougars v Mariners (Devonshire Rec.). All games start at 2.30.