It's going to be a difficult fire to extinguish! That's the promise of Commercial Division team Fire Service as they await confirmation of their FA Cup first round opponents, the draw for which is scheduled today at BFA headquarters.

Three Commercial Division teams are already through and two more could follow this week as the stage is set for an intriguing draw which will involve the 10 First Division teams.

Two of the Commercial Division sides, Fire and Mariners, have already beaten Second Division opponents on their way to this stage of the competition.

Richard Correia of Mariners added a hat-trick on Sunday to the two goals he got in the elimination round against Park United while Fire's Troy Furbert has also netted five times in two matches, scoring once on Sunday as Prospect became their latest victims.

"We feel pretty good to reach this far, but hopefully we can now avoid meeting a First Division side,'' said Fire Service midfielder Troy Brimmer of the draw.

"I don't mind being drawn against another Commercial Division side or even a Second Division side, but we will really take whatever comes. We are on a high note. The popular saying among the players after Sunday's win over Prospect is `nobody is going to extinguish the fire too easily'. Let's hope we live up to this.

"We will go into the next round feeling good about ouselves because we will have everybody available. We have suffered no major injuries and nobody will be on vacation when we play again.'' Mariners, like most, would be happy to avoid a match-up against defending champions and still unbeaten Vasco for the January 14 ties.

"I don't think we want to be put up against a First Division team, especially Vasco who I saw play on Saturday and who are playing some good football,'' said Mariners captain John Frias, a former Port Royal player.

Frias admitted to being surprised at the ease in which they got by Parish, after it became evident in the first half that there was no difference in the fitness level of the teams.

"We don't train like Second Division teams do but after the first 10 or 15 minutes, when we settled down after being under some pressure, we could see we could easily take on those guys. We had our chances and put them away.

"Whoever we pick up, as long as the guys go out and give a good account of themselves, I'll be happy,'' added the midfielder.

"In these games teams do funny things. When we play against any team higher than us we just have to raise our game. As long as we defend hard and play hard we'll give them a good go.'' Frias praised hat-trick hero Richard Correia who ended Parish's cup dreams.

"He's fast, strong on the ball, had opportunities and did well with them.'' Another team not yet ready to return solely to Saturday football are Forties, who have had some proud accomplishments in the FA Cup in the past. They have beaten two Commercial teams, Exiles and Robin Hood, to reach the first round and could now face a top team.

"For a Commercial Division side it is always the pinnacle of the season to see how far we can go in the FA Cup,'' said veteran Derek Scott, formerly of Southampton Rangers, Warwick and Hotels.

On Sunday, Scott scored his team's second goal in the 4-2 win and was also sent off late in the game for a second bookable offence.

"We've just played sides in our league so far and we have yet to face the giants, so we are not putting a lot into our success right now,'' said the striker-turned-central defender.

"We must be realistic, we know it will probably end when we meet a First Division team who will provide us with our real test. Playing against teams with players 10 years our junior will be tough. We know it will mean the end unless a miracle happens.'' Forties' success has been accomplished without their strongest team as players were again missing on Sunday.

"We have done well to fill spots with about five regular players unavailable for both matches because of church commitments on Sundays,'' Scott disclosed.

"Those coming in have played with a lot of commitment which has enabled us to be successful. Now that we venture into the unknown in the first round where we may come up against a First Division side, who knows what may happen.'' So far just one Second Division team is confirmed for the first round, that being last year's beaten finalists, Devonshire Cougars, who beat their division leaders, Wolves, 4-0 on Sunday.

The two other teams for the first round will be determined tonight when Social Club face Lobster Pot in a replay at PHC Stadium and Belco take on St.

David's at BAA Field. Both start at 8.00.

Social Club also played Lobster Pot in the preliminary round last year when they won 3-1.

GIANT KILLERS -- Derek Scott pictured on the ball for Forties in their FA Cup elimination round victory over Wolves last year. Forties are in today's first round draw.