MUCH is made on both sides of the Atlantic about the so-called magic of the FA Cup.

The phrase was coined long enough ago that no-one can really remember what made the FA Cup so magical in the first place but whatever it was, it still rings true today.

As those who turn up at Southampton Oval on Sunday will very soon realise, the Hamilton Parish-North Village clash will be an encounter that will be as magical ? or controversial, bruising and intense ? as any other game to be played on this island this season.

On paper, it is not much of a game.

North Village, the Chelsea of Bermuda, have claimed two-thirds of their triple crown so far and have a squad that has strength from front to back and one of those rare benches that contains players good enough to start in most other sides.

In dominating the local scene, they have been able to hold off the other big teams and have developed a mean streak that sees them dismiss the weaker ones with no feelings of guilt or mercy ? ask Ireland Rangers, who had 16 put past them in two men-against-boys league encounters.

So when the holders drew the only First Division team left in the competition, it should have been cause for celebration.

But this isn't just any First Division team. This is one who are at the wrong end of their table and have a side containing a good selection of Commercial players.

Bookmakers would be making Dwayne (Streaker) Adams men odds-on favourites to such an extent that they might have already paid out on bets backing the Reds to reach the final.

But, and this is why this match may actually be more interesting than the next round and certainly the other semi, this is going to be clash that goes well beyond teamsheets and predictions.

If Village resemble The Special One's team, then Hamilton Parish are the 1980s Wimbledon of Bermuda football, the crazy gang, the rag-bag muddle of surprisingly-good footballers who make up for any deficiencies with a tremendous team spirit, support and willingness to win.

With skilful players and hardmen in equal measure, Parish are a side on a mission. They have nothing else on their mind but gaining revenge for a cup final defeat last year that, to this day, they maintain was some perverse form of daylight robbery.

A late linesman's flag ruined their party on the carpet last time around, a decision which still riles them to this day and they will be doing everything ? supported by their emotional and vocal crowd ? to gain revenge and show the nation that they can be cup winners.