Balzan launched the defence of their knock-out title with a 13-0 drubbing of Luqa to stroll into the second round of the competition.

Player/coach Boycho Marev scored four goals for Balzan.

Nicola del Re and Eslam Khalifa hit a brace each while Frane Despotovic, Glenn Bonello, Matthew Attard, Mark Zammit and Tyron Borg completed the rout for Balzan.

Qormi also registered a comfortable 8-1 victory over Mqabba.

Blendi Gockaj (2), Basil Onuta, Jesmond Micallef, Paulo Diones Mendes da Silva, Marwan Telisi, Darren Agius and Jonathan Sammut got their names on the scoresheet for Qormi.

Mqabba’s only goal came from Etienne Rodo.

Valletta beat Sirens 6-0 to maintain their interest in the competition.

For the City team, Kurt Bartolo and Dennis di Maio found the net twice while Brian Deguara and Dexter O’Brien scored the other goals.

In an all-First Division clash, Qrendi overcame Birżebbuġa 8-5 to obtain their first win of the season.

Frenchman Maxime Landais impressed after finding the back of the net five times for Qrendi.

Mellieħa, the First Division leaders, extended their fine form to the knock-out competition after seeing off Msida St Joseph 7-1.

Radoslav Kovachev (3), Natha-niel Borg, Craig Pickard, Joseph Vella and Conor Muchmorre were all on the mark for the northerners as Mladen Lazic scored the consolation goal for the Saints.

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