With FC Jager unable to defend the Westernsport Trophies sponsored WG Parr Trophy, which they won last season when the convincingly beat AFC Bell 3-0 at Corsham Town’s Southbank Ground back in April, it looks as if this seasons competition will be one of the most open for many years.

With a number of clubs fancying their chances of glory, Premier Division Pheasant being installed as pre-season favourites to lift the silverware. The all-fourth division affair between Somerford FC and Kings Arms (All Cannings) lived up to expectations, even if the result wasn’t the one which had been predicted.

The game produced plenty of goals in 120 minutes but with neither side finding a winner, it came down to the dreaded penalty shoot-out, which Somerford won 4-2 after normal and extra-time had ended three each.

Scott Hatton scored both goals for Somerford in normal time with Adam Bewley scoring for the Kings Arms before Lee Martin scored a cracker 30 seconds from the end of the 90 minutes to take the game into extra-time.

Ryan Wilkinson gave Somerford the lead in the first period only for Danny Thompson to make it three apiece with an awesome 35-yard strike just second before the final whistle.

Successful penalties from John Rawlings, Dave Fawcitt, Scott Hatton and Alex Braithwaite booked Somerford's place in the final 32.

Second division Sutton Benger became the first team to reach the first round, when they received a walkover against first division opponents Atworth United, who were unable to raise a team.

But it appears that they failed to inform anyone of the postponement as both the match referee and Sutton Benger turned up at Atworth expecting a match.

First division Bradford News booked their place in the first round proper after they claimed a comfortable 4-0 win away at second division Steeple Ashton Rangers.

Steeple Ashton started well but fell behind on five minutes when Dom Khaekphong’s shot deflected off the unfortunate Bryn Holt to give Bradford the lead.

Steeple Ashton may have been behind but they remained in the game for the remainder of the first-half and well into the second period before Ashton’s keeper Nathan Holloway dropped a cross into his own net for 2-0.

With seven minutes remaining, Bradford made the game safe when Nick Holton headed home a Khaekphong cross and the victory was completed in the final minute by Jamie Parlour, whose shot went in off the bar.