FFA Cup First Round Draw!!

Dear All,

Welcome to Belfast and the live draw for the first round proper of the DIVING IN THE BOX FFA CUP.

This year, I will be ably assisted by independent adjudicators Brother Nightingale (Black Socks Red Tops) and Brother Johnston (Minus Three FC).

Brother Nightingale will draw the home teams while BJ will draw the away teams.

As a one-off, this year's prize will be £70 for the winner and £30 for the runner-up, not to mention the coveted FFA Cup trophy, currently held by Brother McDermott (aka Gulladuff Mafia).

Anyway, to repeat the rules...

To coincide with the fourth round of the cup, the first round of our very own FFA Cup randomly pits one team directly against another in a knock-out situation.

Our 16 winners will progress to the second round and so on, with each round coinciding with that of the English FA Cup - right up until the final.

The winner of each match will be the team that scores the most points in that particular week.

In the event of a draw, there will be a replay between the teams concerned the following week. If, in the unlikely event, of another draw, then the team with home advantage will go through.

So...


Will there be any giant killing feats in top vs bottom clashes?


Will there be any close friends or allies pitted against each other in the first round?


Will any teams sacrifice their league position for the chance of FFA Cup glory?



There's only one way to find out... the draw is as follows............




Brothers Nightingale and Johnston, can you please juggle your balls....................




Cool Dude Zoo, can you programme your drum machine to perform a drum roll please....................




And we're off. Just scroll down.....




League positions in brackets..............

True Blue Strikers (9) vs The Blue Monkeys (19)

Home advantage to the top ten team in this Chelsea derby match but never write off the Monkeys (until he's rote aff himself!).

Real Goldfish (27) vs Gazza's Piping Hats (21)

Too close to call in this battle of the red zoners.

Kirbs Crawlers (13) vs The Grapes of Raff (1)

Tricky opener for the league leader and former cup champion in this Arsenal v Liverpool clash. The Grapes will be hoping to avoid a repeat of recent Anfield performances.

Yer Ma's Athletic (22) vs The Toffees (25)

Another even match with just three places and four points separating both teams. Will The Toffees' experience be enough? Too close to call.

Ashburton Groove N7 (4) vs Brendy's Bruisers (16)

Another Arsenal v Liverpool clash but the Bruisers face a tough task away to the in-form Groovers.

Bazking in Glory (5) vs Gold Coast Heroes (31)

On paper, should be a comfortable home win for Bazking who has crept up to 5th place in the league unnoticed. he'll be worried though by the possibility of a humiliating cup upset.

Gulladuff Mafia (26) vs The Well Hungarians (38)

Two old timers from Tyrone do battle in this contest between the defending cup champion and champ turned chump Nujo who currently resides in the relegation zone. Will the Hungarians forsake Premiership football to win some silverware? Intriguing contest but McDermott has also won the league twice in the past and will be hard to beat.

Black Socks Red Tops (31) vs Minus Three FC (6)

Amazing! Brother Nightingale has just drawn himself against Brother Johnston!!! What are the odds on that. Minus Three must be hot favourite but the fact that they sit beside each other in work will add some serious spice to this grudge match. Potentially the tie of the round!

Con Villa (29) vs The Prof's X! (18)

It's been a difficult first half of the season for The Professor but only a fool would write him off - even in the league. Tough tie for the Villainsbut home draw could come in handy (eventually).

Flexy's Fairies (12) vs Gulladuff FF (21)

Although in a lower league position, Gulladuff FF have won this competition in the past and the experience could come in handy against Flexy, one of the better debutants in this year's league so far.

Virgin Surfers (35) vs Jubilee Cordozo (36)

At least one struggling team will progress into the last 16 in this match between two potential relegation candidates. Too close to call.

The Muppetaldinhos (28) vs Decies Ant Atac (16)

Dream draw for Decie against The Muppets. As close to a bye as you're ever likely to get.


The Dogs Ballacks (2) vs Harpic Amsterdam (10)

Tasty tie this. In form Brogan will be favourite but board member Molloy's team is also improving and the DITB board member will have the experience and determination to take this one to the wire. Definitely one to watch.


Prince of Darkness (11) vs Maclacticos (14)

A couple of weeks ago this would have been a home win but it's not so clear cut now. The Prince is on the slide while defending league champion Maclacticos are on the rise. Little between the sides in this grudge Scum Man Utd v Liverpool match.


The Penalty Kings (3) vs The Busted Sofas (37)

Should be a walk over on paper but Guru Walls will be wary as The Busted Sofas aim to pull off the biggest giant killing feat of the first round. Very nasty looking banana skin for the top three side at home. Could be a coupon buster!

.....
Cherry United (8) vs Mersey Miracles (23)

Tough match for the young Miracles against wiley campaigner Cherry United. The Cherries should be too strong but, then again, he'll not want to be embarrassed at home by a primary school child in his first ever FF season.




That concludes the draw for the first round proper of the Diving in the Box FFA Cup. Ties to be played on the weekend of January 27 / 28.


So let's recap on the draw in full...

True Blue Strikers (9) vs The Blue Monkeys (19)
Real Goldfish (27) vs Gazza's Piping Hots (21)
Kirbs Crawlers (13) vs The Grapes of Raff (1)
Yer Ma's Athletic (22) vs The Toffees (25)
Ashburton Groove N7 vs Brendy's Bruisers (16)
Bazking in Glory (5) vs Gold Coast Heroes (31)
Gulladuff Mafia (26) vs The Well Hungarians (38)
Black Socks Red Tops (31) vs MInus Three FC (6)
Con Villa (29) vs The Prof's X! (18)
Flexy's Fairies (12) vs Gulladuff FF (21)
Virgin Surfers (35) vs Jubilee Cordozo (36)
The Muppetaldinhos (28) vs Decies Ant Atac (16)
The Dogs Ballacks (2) vs Harpic Amsterdam (10)
Prince of Darkness (11) vs Maclacticos (14)
The Penalty Kings (3) vs The Busted Sofas (37)
Cherry United (8) vs Mersey Miracles (23)


There you have it folks! The countdown is on again to FFA Cup glory. Anyone can win a one-off game and the magic of the cup should ensure that we have plenty of thrills and spills at the end of the month.

I'm looking forward to the pre-match mind games which I hope will be put on screen for all to see.

Thanks to Brothers Johnston and Nightingale for their assistance, good luck and see you all at the ACP next Saturday!

Yours sincerely,

Michael R
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman