The Fire were up against an unknown foe when they travelled to Marple to play Millbrow Reserves. The Cup competition gave them a chance to forget about their poor league form and with some key absences Player-Manager Robert Green decided to go with an attacking line up and take the game to the opposition. After an end to end opening with both teams feeling each other out it was the Fire who took the lead with Dave Barnes reacting sharply to lift the ball over the MIllbrow keeper with his knee after the ball looped into his path. Millbrow soon found themselves level when a freekick fell over the heads of the Fire defence and despite Robert Green getting an outstretched leg to the loose ball it fell kindly to a Millbrow striker who lashed a fine finish past Gavin Harris in the Fire goal.
The Fire though picked up the pace and added 2 further goals as lady luck smiled on them. First a looped cross from Lee Knott evaded the Millbrow keeper leaving Warren Smith to tap home from on the goal line and then Mike Bridge had a shot deflected to wrongfoot the Millbrow keeper and sneak into the corner of the net.

The 2nd half saw the hosts lauch a concerted effort to get back into the game but despite dominating possession they rarely troubled the Fire defence. As the half wore on Millbrow became dispirited and the Fire took advantage adding a 4th with Dave Barnes heading home a Rob Nolan throw in. Dave Barnes then completed his hat trick from the penalty spot after Stuart Waterfield was brought down in the box before the Fire added their 6th wit some sparkling football. Some crisp interchange of pasing giving Robert Green the space to measure a cross to perfection with Dave Barnes doing well to power his header past the Millbrow keeper for his 4th goal. Millbrow snatched a consolation with the last kick of the game as the pushed men forward and made their numbers count as they found a player unmarked in the box.

Team: Gavin Harris, Stuart Waterfield, James Gifford, Rob Nolan, Robert Green, Andy Martin, Warren Smith (Jake Davies), Mike Bridge, Lee Milner, Dave Barnes, Lee Knott
Man Of The Match: Dave Barnes
Goalscorers: D Barnes 4, W Smith 1, M Bridge 1