Tarxien Rainbows 2
Riberio 15; Denni 35
Balzan Youths 0
Tarxien Rainbows eased their pain of losing to Valletta after extra-time in the semi-finals of the Anniversary Cup by sealing a swift return to another semi-final, this time in the FA Trophy, with a deserved victory over Division One side Balzan Youths.
Having established a 2-0 lead in the first half, courtesy of an Anderson Ribeiro penalty and a close-range finish from Denni, the Rainbows proved too strong for Balzan who came back strongly after the interval.
Substitute Aaron Agius proved a constant threat to the Tarxien de-fence - freshening up a stale match with his mazy runs and beguiling skills but by that time, Noel Coleiro's side were in complete control.
Former Valletta defender Rennie Forace was the only notable absentee for Balzan as he was sidelined with injury as player-coach Ivan Zammit had the luxury of leaving himself on the bench along with Agius.
On his part, Coleiro was clearly determined to continue a recent run that has seen them undefeated in the last three matches as he fielded his strongest possible formation against the only non-Premier League side still in competition but he opted for a switch of goalkeepers as he gave second-choice David Cassar his chance to shine.
Zammit's side played with the confidence earned from a cup run that already had been decorated by the Premier league scalps of Msida and Dingli.
Simon Shead, in particular, looked lively for the Youths and, against a side boasting one of the finest collections of defenders in Maltese football, the 31-year old nippy striker looked determined to steal the show against his former club with whom he scored over 100 goals before joining Pietà last season.
Balzan worked hard throughout and frustrated the Rainbows for long periods but ultimately lacked the quality to truly threaten a Premier League side or hold out against their more incisive attacking play.
Everton Pereira lashed a free-kick just too high and wide after four minutes but it proved to be the prelude to Tarxien taking the lead minutes later.
In the 14th minute, Jonathan Francica was penalised for shirt-tugging Denni in the box and Anderson Ribeiro stepped up to slot home from the spot.
Despite this setback, Balzan maintained their work-rate and almost drew level when Shead dribbled his way to the opponents' box, only to shoot over the bar on 22 minutes.
But Tarxien always looked the more dangerous side when going forward and it was no surprise when Denni made it 2-0 after 35 minutes, collecting a free-kick from David Camilleri and firing the ball in from close-range.
There was plenty of effort from Balzan before the break and after 42 minutes David Agius cut inside from the right flank but he shot just over.
On the change of ends, Zammit came off the bench along with Aaron Agius in a bid to give his side more impetus.
Balzan started to look more menacing as Agius tormented the Rainbows rearguard with his forays down the right flanks. After 67 minutes, Agius wasted a great chance to reduce the deficit when he was one-on-one with Cassar but shot straight at the Tarxien keeper.
Few minutes earlier, Peter Anizoba's shot flew towards Ryan Mintoff and it struck him on the upper arm as he tried to move it out of the way. But referee Kevin Azzopardi waved away the protests.
On 72 minutes, Agius embarked on another mazy run down the right and his cross found Shead but the striker's effort was deflected for a corner.
Tarxien Rainbows
D. Cassar, M, Caruana, D. Camilleri, G. Calabretta ('72 L. Vella Critien), E. Pereira, A. Ribeiro ('86 J. Shead), M. Tanti ('61 K. Magro), A. Decesare, Denni, R. Mintoff, J. Grioli.
Balzan Youths
F. Tabone, S. Aquilina, J. Francica, R. Farrugia, D. Agius, G. Tanti ('46 I. Zammit), B. Bondin ('46 A. Agius), M. Sciortino, D. Fenech, S. Shead ('83 L. Micallef), P . Anizoba.
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Yellow card: Shead.