WITH first division hotshots Staverton already out of this season’s Westernsport Trophies-sponsored WG Parr Trophy, the tag of favourites has been placed on top-flight side The Castle FC.

Tom Perkins' side, who are unbeaten in all competitions to date, have been given a home tie against first division Kings Arms (All Cannings) in what promises to be a fiercely contested local derby.

The game will be a repeat of last terms second round tie - on that occasion Castle romped to a 7-1 win and they should have another easy passage into the last eight this season.

Second division Southwick Wanderers, who scraped past third division Trowbridge Town Supporters Club in the preliminary round, travel to division one side Chippenham West End, who beat AFC Avellinos to set up this meeting. 

Third division stable-mates North Star B and Worton & Cheverell (Sunday) both missed out on preliminary round matches and this will be the first time the teams have ever met.

On paper, it looks as if it will be a game that could go the distance, but how ever long it takes to find a winner, the Star are tipped for success.

Fourth division Oakhill are another side who received a walkover to this stage of proceedings - Oakhill were due to play the now defunct Corsham Park Rangers in the previous round but they will now kick off their cup challenge by hosting first division Somerford, for whom it will also be their first outing.

Third division Pig & Whistle United and fourth division Trowbridge Rangers (Sunday) will meet at Awdry Avenue for a place in the quarter-final line up.

Richard Allen’s hosts may have suffered a 4-3 loss against Melksham Cosmos last weekend but they will be hot favourites to see off what will no doubt will be a brave challenge from a Rangers side who will go into the tie as massive underdogs.

Of the eight first round ties there are a few mouth-watering clashes to look forward to, with the pick of them the fixture between first division sides Prestige Bodyworks and Corsham CC Wildcats.

This will be the third time in the space of a month that the sides have met and Prestige, who have won the other two encounters, will be confident of claiming a hat trick of wins over Scott Fleming’s side as they look to keep their challenge for silverware on three fronts alive.

Another match that catches the eye is the one scheduled for Stanley Park between Melksham based sides Sportzcoach Dragonz United and Melksham Cosmos.

The third division rivals are in talks to move the game to the Conigre, where they hope to draw a healthy crowd for what should be a thrilling game.

Dragonz disposed of favourites Staverton in the previous round and will fancy their chances against Cosmos but with both sides enjoying a great start to the season and going by their head-to-heads last term, this tie has extra-time written all over it.

Sutton Benger cruised into round one thanks to a 6-1 victory over Crossblades, whereas opponents Christian Malford made it through without kicking a ball.

As local derbies go, this one promises to be a thriller with both teams going in off the back of fine victories and both will be keen to claim the bragging rights as well as place in the next round.