One of the top dogs of Bermuda football will bow out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage.

That reality emerged after last night's draw for the four fixtures at Flanagan's Bar as Boulevard and Devonshire Cougars were pitted against each other for a place in the semi-finals. That game, scheduled for BAA, is likely to be the highlight of the February 22 match-ups.

Though ruing that the draw wasn't kinder to his team, Boulevard coach John Rebello noted one must overcome some obstacles to reach the final and, better yet, to lift the title.

"When you get to this round every team is hard but you're always looking for an easier opponent rather than one that's playing the same high quality of football as you.

"It will just be another tough game. We have to take it in stride and prepare well. We fancy our chances and it's going to be a great game," he predicted.

"There's a lot of rivalry and lots of family members playing for either side."

In other quarter-final action, St. David's host Devonshire Colts while First Division rivals Somerset and PHC go head-to-head at Somerset.

Premier Division leaders, Dandy Town, look to have a relatively easy path into the final four as they oppose the winner of the Prospect/St. George's replay at St. John's Road.

Chairman of the Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) Leagues and Competitions Committee Charles Clarke agreed the Boulevard-Cougars clash as well as the Somerset-PHC game would be the big attractions.

"That's a lot of history there," he said, referring to the latter match.

The football official also warned that St. David's should not be written off given their progress thus far.

"I've seen them play twice in the FA Cup and both times they've been pretty impressive. They got rid of Hamilton Parish and they disposed of Vasco Mariners. On the day, they can be a difficult team to beat.

"All in all it's a good draw and it would be worth the fans' while to come out and see these quarter-finals."

Somerset player Dwight Basden determined his club's fate by pulling PHC's name in the draw. Afterwards, he joked that he hoped "my coach and team-mates are not mad at me for picking the Zebras".

The two sides ? who seem unable to shake each other ? are locked in a heated battle for the First Division championship and now the FA Cup also.

"I can't complain. Over the years I thought these draws were fixed but I picked the ball myself," declared Basden, shaking his head in disbelief at his choice.

Turning his attention to the match, he said that the knockout format meant Somerset must approach every game "like a final", adding there's extra incentive for both teams as both have won the cup a record nine times.

"I'd like us to go on and break that record."

As for their league race, Basden noted that tonight's game at Devonshire Rec will be decisive as both teams are on 25 points from nine matches; Somerset ahead on goal difference.

"That fixture will have great significance as far as the outcome of the league. Whoever wins that game will be in the driver's seat."

Meanwhile, Prospect coach Earl Basden thinks his side have a good chance of defeating St. George's in their cup replay but admits they will have their hands full with Town if they advance.

"We will have to apply ourselves and, you never know, anything can happen. It's football."

Such an encounter, he noted, would give Prospect the opportunity "to see what we can do with the players we have."

Meanwhile, there will only be one match at Devonshire Rec tonight as the FA Cup replay between Prospect and St. George's has been postponed. Somerset and PHC play at 8 p.m.