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Colts hoping for treble over Onions

Ray Jones, the Devonshire Colts coach

There will be some intriguing matchups during the FA Cup first round, including two rematches from league action last weekend.

Devonshire Colts face Flanagan’s Onions for the third time already this year, with Colts having won both previous encounters. Ray Jones, the Colts coach, believes it will be difficult facing the same opposition three times in less than three weeks.

“It’s going to be difficult,” Jones said. “I have to motivate my players to go out there and perform well on the day.

Jones will be facing many of his former Colts players during the tie.

“It makes it more interesting, given that a lot of their players previously played for Colts,” he said.

Colts, who thumped Onions 4-1 to win the Shield Trophy on New Year’s Day, are the only First Division side to win the FA Cup; they have won it five times. Jones wants to repeat the feat this season.

“We already have a trophy now,” he added. “We will aim to win all remaining competitions we have entered.”

The other rematch from last weekend involves top-flight contenders Devonshire Cougars and North Village at Devonshire Recreation Club. The visiting side will be looking to tie PHC Zebras for most FA Cup titles all-time (11).

Vance Brown, the Cougars coach, was optimistic and looking forward to the match, despite losing to Village 1-0 last weekend.

“We lost to them in our last meeting [1-0 at Bernard Park], so we have to go back to the drawing board,” Brown said. “Everyone aspires to get to the final, so we have to come with a plan to win the game. I am going to motivate my players. Village are a great team, my guys have to remain focused.”

Cougars also have a make-up league match with leaders Robin Hood tomorrow night. Brown said he will look at the team’s performance from that game when he makes his selection for the weekend.

“My selection on Sunday may be based on performance from Thursday night,” he said. “We will see what comes out of Thursday and I will decide how I select for Sunday from there.

Brown insists his team is up for both matches this week.

“We can still finish in a positive position,” he added. “We need to be up for every game that we are in. We have the quality of players, they just have to show it. The other matches include a rematch from last season’s first round with reigning champions Hood hosting Somerset Eagles, whom they trounced 4-1 at this same stage last season.

St George’s, who have defeated a Premier Division side in the first round on each of the last three seasons, will visit Vasco da Gama at Bernard Park.

The First Division leaders thrashed Vasco 5-0 in their last visit in December.

Other fascinating matches include a cross-island derby between struggling Somerset Trojans and St David’s, and an East End derby with last season’s finalists X-Roads hosting Hamilton Parish at Garrison Field.

Dandy Town have a bye. Absent teams include Wolves and Southampton Rangers, who were disqualified from this competition because of financial irregularities.