Pot get lucky in new draw
each other in the second round on January 23, while two Commercial teams are guaranteed to reach the quarter-finals.
St. David's and Lobster Pot were originally drawn against each other in the first round, but an odd number of teams resulted in that match being put back to the second round. However, yesterday the decision was made to include both of those teams in the draw along with the other 14 sides.
Lobster Pot got the luck of the draw, coming out with a match against another Commercial team, Exiles, while St. David's now find themselves playing North Village in the only all-Premier Division tie.
"Originally when we were drawn against St. David's we were really looking forward to it because we were playing well,'' said Pot player-coach Allan Turner yesterday.
"They were at the bottom of their league and we knew they had a few injuries and suspensions so we were really up for it. Then it got cancelled and we thought come January, I bet they'll be really playing well again so we'd be up against it.'' On paper Exiles might present an easier challenge, but Turner isn't about to take them lightly.
"We had a tough game against Exiles earlier this year and only scraped by 2-1 so they are a good team. But we stand a better chance of beating them than we would St. David's. We're unbeaten this year which is tremendous.'' One other Commercial team are certain to advance to the last eight, after MR Onions were pitted against league champions Robin Hood. Fire Service were not so fortunate, coming out with a tough away match against Dandy Town.
Social Club, who shocked Southampton Rangers on their way to the quarter-finals last season, have a tough away game against PHC, the surprise Premier Division leaders.
Both teams have proud FA Cup histories, PHC sharing the most wins (nine) with Somerset while Social Club won three straight years in the 1960s when they also won three straight league titles. Those were the days when they dominated local football.
Other second round matches see cup holders Devonshire Colts meeting a Devonshire Cougars team that shocked Somerset in the last round, while Hamilton Parish of the First Division meet Premier Division team, Southampton Rangers. Prospect host Vasco in the other tie.
Draw: MR Onions v Robin Hood (White Hill, 12.30); Dev.Colts v Dev.Cougars (White Hill, 2.30); Ham.Parish v Southampton (St. David's, 12.30); St. David's v North Village (St. David's, 2.30); Dandy Town v Fire Service (St. John's, 2.30); Exiles v Lobster Pot (St. John's, 12.30); Prospect v Vasco (Police Field, 2.30); PHC v Social Club (Somerset, 2.30).
