We can beat colts -- Janeiro
tomorrow when they take on First Division opponents in the first round of the FA Cup.
If the results go according to expectations there will not be a Second Division team in the quarter-final draw on Monday, but this competition has a way of producing the unexpected.
Of the five teams from the lower division, Southampton Rangers and Vasco have the best chances of creating upsets against First Division teams. Both Rangers and Vasco are past winners of the cup -- in the early 1980s -- and their teams are strong enough to make a run in this year's competition.
Rangers travel to Frog Lane field to take on high-riding Devonshire Colts while Vasco are away to St. David's. And while the First Division sides should be favoured they will wise not to take their opponents lightly.
"We're playing pretty good and will be looking for a win on Sunday,'' said Rangers' 17-year-old college student Janeiro Tucker.
Tucker and right-back Donnie Charles are both students at Essex County College in New Jersey and have been involved in Rangers' matches over the Christmas holidays along with another college student, Craig Darrell.
"We know this game is going to be hard but we're just going to try to take the game to them,'' said Tucker. "We have a good chance of beating Colts, the team is coming together now.'' St. David's will not relish their meeting with Vasco who travel to the east end with nothing to lose and plenty to gain. Vasco have plenty of players with First Division experience, from top scorer Ricky Mallory (10 goals) to Karl Roberts, Paul Towlson, Derek Thomas and Donovan Livingston.
St. David's are fresh off a good win against Hotels last weekend and much will depend on strikers Jerry Laws and Kanhai Fray with captain Cal Richardson and Willis Smith holding their defence together with full-backs Albert Steede and Shea Pitcher.
The four other Second Division teams looking to turn the tables on their First Division opponents are Wolves, Port Royal, Somerset Eagles and Devonshire Cougars.
Wolves have lost their last three matches to Vasco and Rangers (twice) and will be anxious to bounce back against North Village at Bernard Park. With the experience of Kevin Grant, Elliott Jennings and Philip Clarke and with promising youngsters like Michael Hansey, Clinton Caisey, Kevin Jennings and Steven Coddington emerging, Village should be firm favourites. But players the calibre of top scorer Marlon Lindsay and Dion Wainwright could swing something Wolves' way.
Port Royal will be pumped up for their game against an inconsistent Hotels team at Southampton Oval, having won their last two matches, while Eagles travel to Wellington Oval to meet bottom First Division team Hamilton Parish.
Port Royal looked impressive against BAA in midweek and they have a fine blend of youth and experience to trouble Hotels. Their defence will be marshalled by Ricky Brangman and Ricky Fuhrtz in the middle with Brian Brangman and Billy Tatem at full-backs while in midfield they have the flair of Mark DeMoura to go with the experience of player/coach Leroy Wilson and John Frias.
Wilson's 17-year-old son, Nakia Smith, is the team's top scorer and he will be partnered by Clinarke Dill and Michael Bean.
Stevie Wade goes up against his former team-mates when Dandy Town travel to Devonshire Rec. field to meet the Cougars. Wade, just back from suspension, was on the bench in the team's 3-1 midweek win over Boulevard.
All First Division clashes see PHC meeting Boulevard at PHC Stadium and St.
George's taking on Somerset Trojans in the 3.00 match at Wellington Oval. It will be the second trip to Wellington Oval for the Trojans in a week and they will be determined to avenge last weekend's shock 4-2 loss in the league.
St. George's are prepared for a tougher match and will have defenders Stephen Denbrook and Andre Todd back to boost their squad.
"They'll be coming for revenge and my main objective for the team is to keep the high level of play,'' said coach Gregory Foggo.
"If we can keep that high level of play we won't be worrying about Somerset, they'll be worrying about us. There's always a rivalry in there between us, which goes back to Cup Match.'' The Commercial Division Group B Cup match between Prison Officers and St.
George's All-Stars has been postponed.
CAN RANGERS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE? -- Janeiro Tucker, centre, and Lamar Seymour will do their best to make certain against Devonshire Colts on Sunday.
