It was the slaughter of innocents in Phnom Penh as five premier league clubs hammered home a combined 73 goals, tearing apart hapless provincial sides in painfully lopsided Hun Sen Cup group matches at various city venues on Wednesday.

The mighty National Defence Ministry had fallen prey to Phnom Penh Crown in their first league defeat of the season last week, but the Armymen took out that frustration in ruthless fashion against the visiting Stung Treng Province who were absolute bystanders in a 21-0 thrashing at the Old Stadium.

If Treng heaved a sigh of relief that the Army could only score eight in the first half, that progression got far worse in the second session.

While the Army were terrorising the northeast province, Boeung Ket Angkor were equally harsh on Prey Veng at the Olympic Stadium, romping to a 12-0 victory, with six goals in each half.

Away at the Western Stadium, Cambodian Tiger FC mauled Kandal 18-0. After a somewhat light showing in the first half, the Tigers shred Kandal to pieces in the second.

For league table-toppers Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, playing before their home fans, the first half was surprisingly scoreless against the visiting Sihanoukville Port.

But the second half was a different story as the home side fired home 11 goals without reply.

The only provincial side visiting the capital to score, despite eventually being beaten by a big margin, was Kampong Thom, who came out of the first half drawing 1-1 against Asia Europe United, who then went full tilt in the second half to end up 11-1 winners.

Kampong Chhnang gave plenty to cheer for their home fans by edging out Boeung Ket Youth 1-0.