Footy Kings of the Corona League will look to carry on where they left off in the FA Cup over a year ago, when they battle for one of the final three first round places during this weekend’s preliminary round.

Footy Kings are the lone Corona team competing in this season’s FA Cup, after both they and Tuff Dogs produced upsets in the preliminary round last October, with victories over First Division sides St David’s and Flanagan’s Onions respectively.

It was the first FA Cup win for the Kings, who registered a comfortable 5-2 win over St David’s, but their hopes of another upset in the next round were dashed when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the season to be stopped last December, before the first round matches could be played.

This year there will be no Flanagan’s Onions in the competition after they withdrew from the First Division this season, while Tuff Dogs will also not participate.

Footy Kings will play former champions Boulevard tonight at Goose Gosling Field at 8pm, while tomorrow’s two matches will see Vasco taking on Wolves at Southampton Oval and Young Men’s Social Club playing Hamilton Parish at Police Field, both starting at 2pm.

“We’re looking forward to a competitive match, we haven’t had a competitive match in over a year,” said Vinzie Zuill, the Footy Kings coach.

“Due to the pandemic, preparation hasn’t been as smooth as we would have wanted it to be but we’re looking to play our best.”

The Corona League did not play any matches last season and haven’t yet started the 2021-2022 season.

“This will be our first match, then we’ll be looking forward to the Corona League starting shortly after,” Zuill said.

“We’re going to represent the Corona League and play as best we can. We beat St David’s but with Boulevard’s history in this competition, we’re expecting a tough match.”

Boulevard defeated St David’s 3-1 last weekend in their only league match so far this season. Hamilton Parish and Social Club were the promotion favourites before last season ended early, and now both have their sights set on a spot in the next round of the cup.

St David’s and BAA have byes this weekend and will join the three winners as well as the eleven Premier Division teams for the first round draw.

That round of 16 is set to be played on the weekend of January 21-23.

Players and fans will all be hoping the FA Cup will be completed this season after Covid-19 disrupted the last two seasons, including the 2020 final between league champions North Village and Robin Hood, which was cancelled.

* Dandy Town and Somerset Trojans have a chance to take over sole possession of first place in the Premier Division tomorrow when they meet at Goose Gosling Field in their make-up match at 3pm.

Town and Trojans are two of four teams tied on six points after winning their first two matches.