Tuff Dogs clash against Key West Rangers will headline the preliminary round of the FA Cup when the prestigious competition begins next week after the draw was announced yesterday at the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) headquarters.

This season's competition kicks off on November 9.

The revamped format of the showpiece competition will see Commercial League teams playing one another in the preliminary stages, with First Division sides coming into the fold in the first round.

To avoid having the competition's top contenders being pitted against each other in the early rounds, all Premier Division clubs have been excluded from the preliminary and first rounds of the knockout contest, thus enhancing the chances of more Commercial and First Division clubs progressing further in the tournament.

Tuff Dogs coach Jason Floyd said he believed the revamped format would give Commercial sides a chance to showcase their capabilities.

"I think it's a good idea to start with the Commercial teams and roll in the bigger teams as the rounds progress," said Floyd.

"It will no doubt weed out the weaker teams who in the past were being blown out in the first round by Premier Division sides.

"There is such a gulf in quality and fitness from the Premier to the Commercial that to pit the two against each other early in the campaign doesn't really give exposure to the lower teams."

Being drawn against Rangers has given Tuff Dogs a decent chance on advancing to the next round, with Floyd insisting his side will give a good account of themselves in this season's campaign.

"We haven't played Key West this year yet, but we haven't heard of them picking up any new players.

"They have always been a good side and our games have always been competitive, so I expect a good game.

"If we beat Rangers we will face off against St. George's Colts, a side that we played about three years ago and were actually beating up until the last 20 minutes or so.

"We have shown in the past that we can compete against teams from the First Division, so we will look to get on top of them if we get advance and see where it takes us."

n See Page 16 for the full FA Cup preliminary and first round draw.

n A double header of action was scheduled for last night featuring the semi-final of the Martonmere Cup at the Devonshire Rec. between North Village Rams and PHC, and Lady Rams and Prospect in the FM Lady Cup were postponed due to bad weather.

The games have been re-scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue.