Valletta had no difficulty in earning a place in the last 16 as they brushed aside a feeble Gozitan challenge.

They now meet Vittoriosa Stars next Wednesday for a place in the quarter-finals.

This match simply had no story as the citizens were so superior that the Gozitans were only once allowed to have a pot at Nicky Vella's post.

Unfortunately, this match also exposed the big gap which exists between Maltese Premier and Gozitan football, even if the Gozitan side was that of Victoria Hotspurs in its entirety.

City coach Ton Caanen opted to give a chance to the side's usual reserves, but it was encouraging to see former international midfielder Stefan Giglio back in midfield after a long absence. He also scored a Euro goal near the end to crown a solid performance.

I might say the citizens enjoyed playing this game, but one has to see them in action against stronger opposition to be able to make a proper assessment after their recent disappointments.

Valletta held the upper hand right from the first whistle. And after Grima had missed a sitter, it was Cruyff who opened the scoring on nine minutes with a header off a Grima cross.

Valletta insisted and missed chances through Grima, Scicluna and Giglio before Dyson Falzon made it 2-0 on 29 minutes after a dangerous low cross from Briffa.

Two minutes later, it became 3-0 as Cruyff converted a penalty after he was floored by Andrew Zammit in the area.

Steve Borg made it 4-0 early in the second half, heading in a cross by Grima. On the hour, substitute Edmond Agius combined beautifully with Briffa to score the fifth.

In heir only serious counter-attack, on the 75th minute, Gozo produced their only chance when John Paul Grima won a tackle with Dimech only to see Nicky Vella saving his weak effort.

Roderick Briffa scored the sixth on 80 minutes, beating Grima after exchanging the ball with Edmond Agius.

The final goal arrived on 84 minutes, Giglio firing home a bombshell from the edge of the area.

Valletta-Gozo 7-0

Valletta: N. Vella, S. Borg, K. Scicluna, L. Dimech, J. Pace (E. Agius), D. Grima, S. Giglio, J. Cruyff (I. Zammit), R. Briffa (S. Bezzina), J. Grioli, D. Falzon.

Gozo FC: M. Grima, A. Tramboo, M. Vella, M. Mifsud, M. Azzopardi, N. Borg, J. Xerri (J. Mizzi), O. Farrugia, R. Grech JP Grima), A. Zammit, N. Buttigieg (A. Briffa).

Referee: S. Tanti, Asst refs: I. Spiteri, F. Cachia, 4th official: E. Azzopardi.

Scorers: J. Cruyff 2 (one pen), D. Falzon, S. Borg, E. Agius, R. Briffa, S. Giglio.

Yellow cards: A. Zammit, M. Azzopardi.