Reigning FA Cup holders Vasco were dealt a tough away tie when the draw for the quarter-final round of the competition was made yesterday.

Vasco, after beating St. David's 3-1 two days ago, were matched against perennial cup giants Somerset and will have to reverse a negative trend if they are to move forward toward the final when the two meet on January 22.

Already Vasco have lost once this season to the west enders and were twice beaten opponents in meetings last season.

However, while wary of the challenge presented by the Trojans, coach John Rebello was optimistic of his side's chances of moving on, but noted that improvements in his men's performance must be stepped up if they are to achieve the desired success.

"They haven't been one of our luckiest teams to play against and we haven't had much success against them,'' said Rebello.

"I feel it's a comfortable draw for both teams. Somerset will feel confident in their chances against us and we feel the same about going against them.

"(But) right now Somerset is not in my mind and we're not yet doing any special preparation for them. We're just taking it one week at a time, one game at a time.

"Our back-line is playing well now, we just need a bit more work up front.

They're starting to click, but we still have to put our chances away.'' Asked if he had any preference as to which team he would have liked to face, Rebello said there was no easy route.

"When you get to this stage it's not by fluke and any team left now can go all the way, they're all strong sides.'' Similarly, Somerset coach Josef Gooden was content with the draw and looked forward to meeting Vasco.

Gooden, in his first year as the head man, has a task of rebuilding Somerset after a few lean years and has a core of youngsters anxious for cup success.

"You can't pick who you play, so whoever you're picked against you just have to go out and do the job,'' said Gooden, whose team defeated Prospect 2-0 on Sunday to move into the quarter-finals. "We definitely have a side capable of going all the way. We're stretched right now with injuries, but hopefully we'll be back to full strength by then.'' With only First Division teams among the eight still in the competition, there were no easy ties that came out of the draw.

Beaten finalists Dandy Town may have received the easiest avenue in drawing Devonshire Cougars away, but even that stands as a dicey affair with lowly-ranked Cougars currently enjoying a good run.

Other fixtures include North Village hosting St. George's at Bernard Park, while PHC entertain Devonshire Colts.

The Crystal Palace draw saw PHC drawn at home against North Village, Wolves pitted against Devonshire Colts at Bernard Park and Somerset against BAA at the west end.