Kerċem Ajax produced a ruthless attacking display to demolish Oratory Youths 11-0 as the BOV GFA Cup preliminary round got underway at the Kerċem Stadium over the weekend.
Għarb Rangers also recorded an emphatic 8-1 victory over St Lawrence Spurs, while Qala Saints edged Sannat Lions 2-1 and SK Victoria Wanderers overcame Għajnsielem in a penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw.
Kerċem Ajax were in devastating form against Oratory Youths, racing into a six-goal lead by half-time before adding another five goals after the interval.
Natal Cidcley Severiano, better known as Nenem, was the star performer with four goals, while Andre Gabriel Castro Martins, Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza and Gabriel Vella all scored twice. Lorenzo Atzori was also on target.
Nenem opened the scoring after seven minutes before Castro Martins doubled the advantage just two minutes later.
Atzori made it 3-0 in the 25th minute, with Nenem adding his second four minutes later.
De Souza struck twice in quick succession to give Kerċem a commanding 6-0 advantage at the break.
There was no respite for Oratory in the second half as Nenem completed his hat-trick four minutes after the restart before Castro Martins made it 8-0.
Nenem added his fourth goal in the 73rd minute, while Gabriel Vella completed the rout with two late strikes.
In another one-sided encounter, Għarb Rangers continued their impressive scoring form with an 8-1 victory over St Lawrence Spurs.
Andrew Ofulue Chukwuwinke and Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa both registered hat-tricks, while Mike Johannes Maria Dijkgraaf and Geordie Ellis contributed a goal apiece.
Chukwuwinke opened the scoring after just two minutes before Dijkgraaf doubled the lead in the 11th minute.
Chukwuwinke struck again midway through the first half to put Għarb firmly in control.
St Lawrence briefly reduced the deficit through Damien Jude Xerri two minutes after the restart, but Ellis restored the three-goal cushion almost immediately.
Barbosa then struck twice in the 69th and 77th minutes before Chukwuwinke completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute.
Barbosa rounded off the scoring in stoppage time to complete his own treble and seal an emphatic victory.
Meanwhile, Qala Saints secured their passage to the next round with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sannat Lions on Sunday.
After a goalless first half, Matteo Camilleri broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart.
Roberto Monteiro Rondinely doubled Qala’s advantage in the 62nd minute before Fred Tsoumou Hama Jubhel converted a penalty in the 79th minute to give Sannat hope of a comeback.
However, Qala held on to secure qualification.
The weekend’s most dramatic encounter saw SK Victoria Wanderers eliminate Għajnsielem 5-3 on penalties following a goalless draw.
Għajnsielem finished the match with nine men after Stefan Cassar was sent off in the 65th minute and Duvan Mosquera Torres received his marching orders in the 87th minute.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Għajnsielem managed to keep Victoria Wanderers at bay and force a penalty shoot-out.
Victoria Wanderers were
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