Rohaan Simons was yesterday able to laugh about being knocked out cold in last Sunday's First Division match against PHC.

And that's bad news for Second Division Paget, whom Simons' Southampton Rangers meet tomorrow at Southampton Oval in one of seven FA Cup first round matches.

"I've been telling people the time I missed against PHC, I'm going to take out on Paget,'' the 20-year-old striker said half-jokingly.

Simons scored his league-leading 11th goal of the season in the 1-1 draw against PHC before his head was planted into the turf in a 31st minute collision with Eddy Dowling.

Officials said he was out for nearly five minutes before coming to with the aid of smelling salts. For his part, Simons says he doesn't remember much about the incident.

"One of my team-mates said he came over and was looking down at me waiting for me to blink,'' Simons said. "I guess I was out cold with my eyes open, staring up at the clouds.'' He was taken to King Edward VII hospital for a CAT scan and was released later that afternoon, suffering from minor concussion.

"The day after, I felt kind of groggy. I had a headache and dizzy spells,'' said Simons. "... I'm feeling much better now.'' Simons said he had never been knocked out before and didn't particularly care for the experience, calling it "frightening''.

Still, the speedy Rangers star was was able to smile at the recollection of trying to return to the game.

"I got to the sidelines and I told the team I wanted to go back on,'' he said. "But the field looked the other way around. I couldn't figure out what goal to shoot at.'' That certainly hasn't been a problem this season. Simons' 11 goals represent more than half of the team's output -- not including another pair he has scored in Martonmere Cup action.

Meanwhile, FA Cup holders Boulevard are hoping to revise the history books by becoming the first team in nearly three decades to win three straight FA Cup finals.

The two-time defending champions are seeking to become the fourth club behind PHC Zebras, Young Men's Social Club and Somerset Trojans to win the cup three straight years when they begin their defence tomorrow against the Trojans at Somerset.

The Zebras, Bluebirds and Trojans dominated the competition between 1959 and 1970, with the Zebras winning the first three years in that period, Social Club from '62-63 to '64-65 and the Trojans from '67-68 to '69-70.

Since then there have been back-to-back winners -- Devonshire Colts, the Trojans, Vasco (twice in '80-81 and '81-82 and '93-94 and '94-95) and Boulevard but no team have made it three wins on the trot.

And while the cup was once dominated by the likes of PHC and Somerset, who have won it a record nine times each, results of late would suggest a shift with Vasco and Boulevard having won it five times between them since 1992-93.

It would appear that the Zebras and Trojans, both struggling at the wrong end of the First Division, are long odds to make it win number 10.

However, the FA Cup is well known for its unpredictability.

Wolves, last year, were a great example of that with wins over First Division side Vasco and promoted teams Somerset Trojans and Hotels on their way to the final.

While Boulevard and Wolves face what should be tough ties against Somerset and Hamilton Parish, Dandy Town, North Village and Southampton Rangers are expected to demolish Second Division opponents.

Parish, like Wolves, are battling for promotion and should produce a good match at Wellington Oval while the Trojans will be pumped up at the prospect of beating the defending cup champions at home.

North Village shouldn't have too much trouble with Second Division side St.

George's Colts at Bernard Park (12.30) and Dandy Town should likewise have little trouble getting past St. David's at St. John's Field.

PHC, after a confidence-boosting draw against Southampton Rangers last weekend, will feel they have a chance of victory over Devonshire Colts at PHC Stadium, while Vasco are tipped to beat Hotels in the opening fixture at PHC.