Valletta 5
Tarxien Rainbows 0
Valletta stormed into the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy after a comprehensive victory over Tarxien Rainbows at the National Stadium yesterday.
This match pitted the Premier League leaders against the Division One pacesetters but there was no doubt on who would book their place in the last eight of the KO tournament as the Citizens were all over their opponents right from word 'go'.
The Rainbows did try to offer a decent challenge but once Sebastian Monesterolo put City ahead on 19 minutes it was only a case of by which margin Paul Zammit's lads would win the match.
Even though this victory came against inferior opponents, the comprehensive nature of their success will only serve to further boost the confidence of the Valletta players who are heading into the second stage of the season well placed in both league and cup competitions.
Zammit yesterday gave a rare start to Brian Agius. He was deployed as left-back with the regular Steve Bezzina starting on the bench alongside Justin Grioli whose place in the starting XI went to Jonathan Bondin.
Frank Temile, the Nigerian livewire, was also rested as the Valletta coach preferred to start with the attacking duo of Sebastian Monesterolo and Ian Zammit. David Camilleri was also missing.
The Citizens took to the ground running and inside the opening five minutes they went close to breaking the stalemate on two occasions.
Their first chance came from the feet of Zammit who unleashed a powerful grounder that was saved in style by Tarxien keeper Anthony Curmi.
Then, it was the turn of skipper Gilbert Agius to try his luck from the distance but again his shot was stopped in two attempts by Curmi.
Valletta kept up the pressure and on 16 minutes Dyson Falzon's surging run saw him go through past two opponents but his rising shot just missed the target.
Tarxien's resistance was broken on 19 minutes. Bondin surged through on the right before dribbling his way into the box and shooting at goal. The effort was deviated by Tarxien's Graham Bencini but Monesterolo was first on the rebound to fire the ball into the roof of the net.
That goal pushed the Rainbows into action and on 23 minutes Valletta keeper Saviour Darmanin effected his first save of the afternoon when he neutralised Simon Shead's grounder.
But, Valletta's dominance was clear and on 31 minutes Monesterolo almost grabbed his second of the day when his grounder whizzed past the upright.
Tarxien came close to a shock equaliser on 41 minutes when John Paul Muscat's angled drive forced Darmanin into a fine diving save.
On the stroke of half-time, Giglio should have made the score 2-0 for the Citizens but failed to connect when in front of a gaping goal after an inviting cross from Bondin.
However, that had little bearing on Valletta's confidence as they all but assured themselves of qualification three minutes into the second half.
Zammit raced clear on the right before sending a low cross into the path of Falzon who stabbed the ball past Curmi from close in.
On 56 minutes Darmanin had to charge out of his goal to block the surging Shead as the Rainbows tried to get back into contention.
They were increasing their urgency and on the hour Angus Buhagiar forced his way into the City box but his rasping drive flew just over.
Tarxien's hopes were practically extinguished on 65 minutes when the Citizens added a third goal. Falzon created space for himself on the left before sending a perfect ball towards that predator Monesterolo who easily tucked the ball in past Curmi.
On 70 minutes, substitute Omar Grech did try to pull one back for the Rainbows but his shot rolled wide with Darmanin beaten.
The Citizens were administering their lead easily and widened their margin on 76 minutes when Falzon's ball was met by Zammit who headed firmly home - 4-0.
Valletta completed the rout on 81 minutes. Zammit was at the end of a inch-perfect pass from Bondin. He kept his cool to stab the ball into the net and complete a perfect day for the City fans.
Valletta: S. Darmanin, J. Bondin, J. Mifsud, K. Scicluna, B. Agius, I. Zammit, H. Backhaus ('65 K. Magro), S. Giglio ('69 K. Fenech), D. Falzon, G. Agius, S. Monesterolo ('76 D. Grima).
Tarxien: A. Curmi, S. Sadowski, M. Buttigieg, G. Bencini, E. Mbong, S. Shead ('76 Mat. Borg), A. Buhagiar ('67 O. Grech), A. Decesare, R. Schembri, J.P. Muscat ('81 A. Mangion), L. Vella Critien.
Referee: Adrian Casha.
Scorers: Monesterolo 19, 65; Falzon 48; Zammit 76, 81.