DOUGLAS Royal will be hoping to spring a surprise in the preliminary round of the Paddy Power FA Cup when they face Premier League outfit Union Mills at Garey Mooar on Saturday afternoon.
The Millers will be go into the contest as favourites to progress to the first round proper but Royal were one of just three teams to beat them on their way to winning JCK Division Two last season and could cause them a few problems should the hosts have on off-day.
The Garey Mooar side have enjoyed a decent start to life back in the top flight and look set to avoid relegation at the first time of asking. This weekend’s visitors currently occupy fifth place in the second tier so will need to be on top of their game if they’re to cause a cupset.
Another side hoping to defeat Premier League opposition are Ayre United who make the long journey south to take on the mighty Rushen United at Croit Lowey.
The Spaniards met lower league opponents in this competition last year when they were defeated on penalties by eventual finalists Union Mills so there should be no complaceny within the southern ranks this time around.
In one of two all-Division Two fixtures in the opening round of the cup competition, Onchan host RYCOB at the Nivison Stadium. The Os have endured a difficult campaign thus far while Youthie are riding high in third place and challenging for promotion back to the top flight so all signs point to a win for the visitors.
Elsewhere in the Paddy Power FA Cup, two of the sides battling to stave off relegation from the Premier League go head-to-head when Castletown entertain bottom-of-the-table Marown at the Stadium and Malew face a mammoth task when they host top flight heavyweights Laxey at Clagh Vane.
The Miners should win comfortably against the bottom side in Division Two but the other game is a bit tougher to call as Marown’s sole win in all competitions this season came against Town last month.
l Having received a bye in the preliminary round of the Paddy Power FA Cup, Douglas Athletic and Foxdale will go head-to-head at Springfield Road in the sole JCK Division Two match on Saturday afternoon.
Victory for Alan Lemaire’s Foxdale will lift the Billy Goat Park outfit above Douglas Royal and Ayre United into the top four, while Athletic will be aiming to move away from Malew at the foot of the table.