Premier sides Marsa, St George’s and Pieta Hotspurs were handed tricky encounters yesterday when the draws for the first round of the competition were made yesterday during the Smash TV programme MFA Magazine.

Marsa were drawn to face rivals Qormi, while Pieta face Vittoriosa Stars. On the other hand, St George’s will be facing current first division leaders Mqabba.

In other matches, Valletta, Floriana and Msida seem to have relatively easy matches against San Gwann, Mosta and Naxxar Lions respectively, even if Floriana’s match against Mosta is a repeat of last year’s final league match where the relegation issue was decided.

First round: Valletta-San Gwann; Vittoriosa S.-Pieta; Marsa-Qormi; Mqabba-St George’s; Floriana-Mosta; Naxxar L.-Msida SJ; Tarxien R.-Hamrun S.; St Patrick-Senglea Ath.

First Division KO preliminary round: Senglea-Hamrun S.; Naxxar L.-Mqabba.