THROUGHOUT the world FA Cup competitions are renowned for producing giant killers ? small fry teams that find that extra gear to raise their level against more formidable opponents. And for this reason defending champions and current Premier Division powerhouses Dandy Town are preparing for their first-round clash against First Division Social Club at St. John's Road on Sunday no differently than they do against any other opponent.

It was just before the middle of last season when Social Club astonishingly withdrew from the league with team officials becoming frustrated because players were lacking total commitment.

But they are now back, as promised by those same officials, and playing with more intensity with two victories from three appearances so far this season.

But little is known of this reorganised and obviously revitalised Social Club team. And that is why Town's coach Devarr Boyles will be stressing to his players the importance of not taking victory for granted.

"To be honest, the preparation leading up to the game will basically dictate our attitude for the match. I don't think taking Social Club for granted will factor into it," said Boyles this week.

"If you prepare properly and you respect each opponent, the known and the unknown, the preparation wouldn't be any different. You prepare for every game accordingly. We don't know Social Club so we have to turn over all of the stones ? you can't leave any unturned. That's going to be our preparation leading up to the game because it's a special tournament that requires special preparations and we will prepare properly."

Town have managed to get off to an auspicious start this season and their last triumph ? a 2-1 victory over Devonshire Cougars on Sunday who many feel to be their strongest challengers ? saw Boyle's team firmly establish themselves as the top team on local soil.

While Town enter the FA Cup tie off an impressive victory, Social Club suffered their first loss of the season when they were beaten 5-3 by Paget at Bernard Park. This was their first setback in three matches to date ? and now it remains to be seen if they can regain any momentum for their gigantic task against Town for whom striker Khano Smith has been rampant when it comes to scoring goals.

If Social Club cannot put the loss behind them then perhaps Smith and company will be allowed to coast to an expected comfortable victory.

Another Premier Division side, PHC, are also matched against a First Division team in the form of St. George's. They will meet at Southampton Oval and the result must surely favour the Zebras.

Like Town, PHC are coming off a good win which came against North Village on Sunday by a 2-0 margin at the same venue and the odds are that St. George's will not be strong enough to cope with Mark Wade's boys.

The third Premier Division side facing action in the early round, Southampton Rangers, may be forced to sweat it out against Commercial Division side St. George's Allstars before coming away with a slim victory.

Southampton looked somewhat demoralised after their 2-0 away defeat against Somerset Trojans on Sunday and if they are unable to shed the obvious frustration shown then perhaps their task at Wellington Oval will be tougher than they could have imagined.