Come one come all to the FA Cup of Darts - David chooses tungsten to slay Goliath

So just as the football season finishes, we are treated to the FA Cup of Darts kicking off in Bolton as hopefuls from around the world turn up in Bolton with the hope of becoming the UK Open Champion.

128 players will be entering the first round at the Reebok Stadium on Thursday, but only 32 will still be in the tournament when the third round commences the following day.  Here’s my pick of the first round ties, and a tentative stab at who’s going to still be competing when the top 32 arrive.

Scott Rand v Steve Beaton

An interesting clash for the early stages which most would have The Bronzed Adonis Steve Beaton as favourite for, but his opponent has been in pretty good form so far this year and will give him a stiff challenge.  This year Rand has reached two Players Championship quarter-finals, and one semi-final just nine days ago in Crawley, Beaton hasn’t got past the last 32 in 2011.  He does have the pedigree and the experience live on TV though, so it will be a close one.

Prediction: Rand 3 – 4 Beaton

Priestley's Pick: Rand 2 - 4 Beaton

Darrin Pugh v Wayne Mardle

Well let’s be honest, I’m not the only one who doesn’t know anything about Darrin Pugh, but he is clearly a very capable player to get to this stage, the reason we’re all going to be watching this one is the return of Wayne Mardle.  Hawaii 501’s fall from grace was a sudden one, but he is on the come-back trail now, and just sneaking into this tournament could provide the boost he needs.  Being back in front of the fans might just spur him on as well.

Prediction: Pugh 1 – 4 Mardle

Priestley's Pick: Pugh 4 - 3 Mardle

Steve Hine v Arron Monk

Two players that the qualifiers are glad they have missed face off against each other in this one as the seasoned professional takes on one of the brightest young talents in the game.  Monkey pocketed £10k for winning the under-21 World Championships earlier this year, and has reached the last 16 a couple of times on the pro-tour, although he has struggled of late with his last four appearances yielding zero prize money.  The Muffin Man has been here plenty of times before, and reached the quarter-finals in 2007, but I’m going to go for a win for the youth on Thursday.

Prediction: Hine 2 – 4 Monk

Priestley's Pick: Hine 3 - 4 Monk

Colin Lloyd v Jelle Klaasen

I think this is, without doubt, the highest quality showdown that the first round has thrown up as a former World number one meets a former World Champion.  It’s fair to say that neither man is at the peak of their game anymore, but they are still fine competitors and Lloyd is the second highest rank player to be in at the first round.  The Matador has been disappointing in the last couple of years and Lloyd has been just slightly out-performing him in recent months, so I’m going with Lloyd for this one.

Prediction: Lloyd 4 – 2 Klaasen

Priestley's Pick: Lloyd 4 - 2 Klaasen

Peter Manley v John Bowles

Another one very similar to the Mardle game, there is only one party we’re really interested in here and it’s Peter Manley.  One Dart has had some quite serious health problems but is on the road to recovery now and his darts have improved sufficiently to warrant a place in Bolton.  His opponent is no mug and has qualified for the UK Open before, but like Mardle I think the return to the TV screens will excite Manley.

Prediction: Manley 4 – 2 Bowles

Priestley's Pick: Manley 4 - 3 Bowles

Davey Dodds v James Wade

In all fairness this one isn’t that interesting at all and will be a comfortable victory for The Machine, although simply having the World number four in at this stage creates some interest in the match.  Wade’s form clearly hasn’t been anywhere near what it can be so far this year, which is why he’s competing at this stage, but it picked up considerably at the end of the Premier League, and I still expect him to be challenging at the latter stages in Bolton.

Prediciton: Dodds 0 – 4 Wade

Priestley's Pick: Dodds 1 - 4 Wade

Magnus Caris v Kevin McDine

My final pick should be a very even battle, and these two will feel aggrieved they’ve drawn each other, as against qualifiers you would fully expect them to progress.  Poker Face Caris has been at this a long time and is a former World Championship semi-finalist, and since gaining his PDC pro-tour card at the start of the year has competed well, reaching the last 16 numerous times.  McDine has had a very similar year so far, and there seems to be nothing between the two.

Prediciton: Caris 3 – 4 McDine

Priestley's Pick: Caris 4 - 3 McDine

So those are the seven games to look out for in the first round, there are plenty of other top players around, not least Dennis Priestley, but as far as closeness and specific interest goes, I’d keep an eye out for these seven.

I have looked at the draw for the second round, which also takes place on Thursday, and have picked a 32 that I think will make the third round.  Some of this is complete guess work as I know nothing about some of the qualifiers, but it’s worth a pop I suppose.

Here they are..

Henderson, Alcinas, van Gerwen, McDine, Hylton, Stompe, C Monk, Dolan, Hill, A Smith, Wade, Gleeson, Beaton, Priestley, Pipe, Bates, Monaghan, Douglas, Maish, Scholten, Ellam, Boulton, Cooper, Ayres, Cartwright, Petersen, Pearce, Lloyd, Grubb, MaGowan, Suljovic