North Village will launch the defence of their FA Cup title when they host cross-town rivals Young Men’s Social Club in a first-round clash at Bernard Park tomorrow (2.30pm).

The teams claimed a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw the last time they faced one another in the Premier Division last month, and tomorrow’s cup tie could potentially prove to be just as fiercely contested.

“We drew with them in our last outing; that says it right there,” Village captain Tre Ming told The Royal Gazette.

“They pride themselves on hard work and that’s respectful, but nevertheless we are up for this game.

“The title defence is the last thing on our minds. What’s crucial is the performance, followed by getting a victory, it’s strictly business.”

The experienced midfielder said team morale remains high despite losing precious ground in the league title race after being held to a 3-3 draw at home to St George’s Colts last time out.

“Morale is good,” Ming added.

“It would feel better if we took all three points last week, but confidence is good and we understand the task at hand.”

Village clinched a tenth FA Cup title after edging PHC Zebras 2-1 in last season’s final at Flora Duffy Stadium to move within one of the record of 11 held by the latter.

Social Club have a bit more momentum than their rivals heading into the tie having edged X-Roads Warriors 2-1 in their previous outing in the league to distance themselves farther away from the relegation zone.

Coach Michael Smith said his players are up for the task against the holders even though the FA Cup is not a priority for the visitors whose main objective is retaining their top-flight status.

“We’ve played them already and felt like we had a good account for ourselves,” he added. “We actually respect them, the coaching staff and their level of players, but we are looking to make a good account for ourselves as well.

“I am going to make some changes to the team because we have a big game against Somerset the following week and our main objective is to stay in the Premier Division, so we probably won’t be looking at this game like people may think we are.

“However, we are definitely looking to make a good account of ourselves and we go into every game with the same mindset; as far as trying our best, sticking to the game plan giving 110 per cent.

“We feel like no matter who we play or no matter who we have out there, we will be OK at the end.

“We are definitely looking to make a good account of ourselves.

“However, we have that Somerset game in the back our mind the following week because that’s going to be a big boost as far as us staying in the Premier Division, which was our ultimate goal.

“We would love to have a good FA Cup run, but myself as the coach and my staff, we have to be mindful of the cards, whose available and injuries, the same thing every other team is dealing with.

“We just have to understand what’s our main objectives and just put our mindset towards what our objectives are.”

Other matches tomorrow will see Hamilton Parish host Paget Lions at Wellington Oval (2.30pm) in the second straight meeting between the two Premier Division rivals having settled for a point apiece in a 2-2 draw last weekend.

Elsewhere, Dandy Town will square off with nine-times champions Somerset Trojans at Goose Gosling Field (6pm).

Also facing each other for the second time in a week are Devonshire Colts who host Shield champions St David’s Warriors in an all-First Division affair at Police Field (noon).

Unbeaten league leaders Colts have a psychological advantage heading into the cup-tie having won the previous encounter between the two rivals 2-1 at Lord’s in St David’s to avenge defeat in the New Year’s Day Shield final at Wellington Oval.

PHC travel to Southampton Oval today to take on Southampton Rangers (2.30pm), while X-Roads face Corona League outfit Tuff Dogs in St David’s tomorrow (noon) in the remaining tie.