The following are capsules of the various First Division teams' performances at the season's mid-way point: VASCO The Portuguese club have distinguished themselves as the class of the First Division, using swift attacking style, predicated by speedy forwards Corey Hill, Irving Burgess and Dwight Basden and a stout defence marshalled by Kentoine Jennings and Shawn Smith, with the ever reliable Timmy Figureido between the `sticks'. Fullback Earl Richardson is the highest scoring defender with six goals.

They were slowed somewhat when Hill, Figureido and Jennings missed action through suspension and Burgess went down injured, but appear to have regained prior form since to again wreak havoc as attested by a 6-1 battering away of St. George's to close the first half.

Already have in their possession both the Charity and Martonmere Cups, while ideally placed one point clear atop the league standings. Were eliminated from the Friendship Trophy, however outlook for more silverware is rosy indeed. Any further success for coach John Rebello's brigade will depend on health as depth remains a very real problem, though on Boxing Day their 16 looked strong with the likes of Irving Burgess, Karl Roberts and Shane Burgess on the bench.

Position: First Record: 7-1-1 (league); 13-1-2 (overall) Cup competitions: Won Charity and Martonmere Cups; qualified for Dudley Eve Trophy; eliminated from Friendship Trophy Best result: 6-1 versus St. George's (December 17) NORTH VILLAGE First year coach Wendell Baxter has placed himself among the early short list for coach-of-the-year honours with his converting the Red Devils from a group of talented individuals into a cohesive unit capable of beating any the Island has to offer.

Along with Vasco, the hottest property in local soccer, having gone undefeated in league play and creators of the lone blemish on Vasco's league record.

While the offence has been adequate, Village do their winning on the defensive end, starting with goal-keeper Dwayne Adams and funnelling through veteran centre-backs Derek Bell and Michael Hansey and fullbacks Kevin Grant, Arthur Simons and even back-up Wayne Augustus. Opponents have managed but six goals in nine league encounters, 'nuff said.

Attack being led by revitalised Sean Dill, whose switch from outside position to centre-forward has proven to be just the tonic up front as the flashy front man leads the scoring charts with nine goals (as of December 21).

Position: Second Record: 6-3-0 (league); 8-3-3 (overall) Cup competitions: Placed fourth in Martonmere Cup; qualified for Dudley Eve Trophy Best result: 4-0 versus Somerset Eagles (November 18) SOUTHAMPTON To call Southampton's rise since being promoted meteoric would be an understatement.

The undeniable surprise of the first half. Having been told from the start that survival would, and should, be their only focus, Rangers have spit in the face of pundits with their gritty, determined play that allowed them to qualify third for the Dudley Eve Trophy tournament while other, supposedly superior, groups indulge in holiday fare.

Have responded well to the instruction of soft spoken coach Gary Darrell.

Darrell, despite having less talent than many clubs, has yet been able to extract more in terms of results through hard work and effort.

Much of the early success also came as a direct result of the placement of Janeiro Tucker in a striking role, but with Tucker banned for three months Rangers have and will continue to struggle and the first half may yet prove a mirage.

Position: Third Record: 5-1-3 (league); 5-1-5 (overall) Cup competitions: Qualified for Dudley Eve Trophy; eliminated from Friendship Trophy; eliminated from Dudley Eve Trophy Best result: 3-1 versus Dandy Town (October 29) DANDY TOWN Much as Eddie Murphy has with recent movie releases so have Dandy Town bombed at the `box office'.

The Hornets entered the 1995-96 campaign standing as a leading contender for the First Division title, but while they remain "in contention'' Town have appeared but a shell of their former selves.

First year man Devarr Boyles has endured a nightmare baptism as coach and calls for his termination from the sidelines have increased in recent weeks as Town continue to struggle against teams they used to cast aside as an afterthought.

Injuries to striker Carlos Smith have hurt, while 1994-95 MVP Darron Simons' struggle to rediscover the scoring touch has also. Simons' only tallies for the year came against Somerset Eagles when he slammed a double hat-trick.

Still, many feel the biggest loss has been that of centre-back Wayne Campbell to retirement alongwith the imprisonment of play-maker Kris Martin. Both were vital cogs during Town's championship campaigns and their absence has exposed deficiencies in defending and creating plays.

Have potential to explode at any moment, question is, can Boyles find the button? Position: Fourth Record: 3-3-3 (league); 3-3-7 (overall) Cup competitions: Qualified for Dudley Eve Trophy semi-final; eliminated from Martonmere Cup during round robin phase; eliminated from Friendship Trophy Best result: 13-1 versus Somerset Eagles (December 10) ST. GEORGE'S As usual St. George's have proven inconsistent, able to beat the world one week and then struggling against obviously inferior competition the next.

The east enders took part in their first ever Martonmere Cup competition and placed a creditable third after downing North Village in the consolation final.

Missed qualifying for the Dudley Eve Trophy as they were hammered 6-1 by Vasco at Wellington Oval when a win would have guaranteed their participation in the holiday tournament for the first time in club history.

Clay Smith has proven himself the key to any goalscoring for St. George's, his mastery of the set-piece wrenching the heart out of three opponents already this season. Similarly, Neil Paynter provides glue among the defence as indicated by the Vasco match, when his absence through suspension was most costly.

Herbie Bascome, another first year coach, still has a way to go in terms of taking his bunch safely out of the relegation zone and trophies are not out of the question, but he will have to cleanse his troops of their affliction to mental lapses at crucial times.

Position: Fifth Record: 3-2-4 (league); 6-2-6 (overall) Cup competitions: Placed third in Martonmere Cup Best result: 6-1 versus Som. Eagles (November 26) PHC A team in the throes of rebuilding process, with youthful group being developed under first-year man Sammy Swan.

As is often the case with young sides, they are prone to inconsistency, with one never knowing which batch will turn up on any given game day.

Defence has been one of the weakest in the division, ranking eighth out of 10 and sorely missing the services of now retired stopper Mike Dill and goal-keeper Ty Williams.

Front line has been anaemic, however recent appearances of veteran Kenny Mills and impending return of Raynell Lightbourne could be recipe for turnaround.

Will likely be involved in battle to avoid relegation throughout second half and Swan certainly will have his work cut out.

Position: Sixth Record: 3-2-4 (league); 3-2-4 (overall) Cup competitions: none Best result: 3-2 versus Dandy Town (November 26) BOULEVARD Hard times have befallen the First Division's defending champions, as they have recorded but one league triumph in nine outings -- that coming in their last match before the Christmas break.

Have established themselves instead as the `draw specialists', counting seven to date, with their inability to score once again cropping up as the major deficiency.

Finally beginning to show signs of advanced age and diminishing skills with experience being little match against sides displaying more youthful exuberance.

Injuries have also had a debilitating effect, forcing coach Albert Smith into game of musical chairs while selecting line-ups from week to week, even being forced to pluck veteran defender Wayne Richardson from the retirement `shelf' to provide stability at the back.

Still, the Blazers cannot be totally counted out, as it was from a similar lowly position that they rose to claim the championship a season ago.

Position: Seventh Record: 1-7-1 (league); 5-7-3 (overall) Cup competitions: Were defeated by Vasco in Charity Cup; placed second in Martonmere Cup Best result: 3-0 versus Somerset Eagles (December 17) SOMERSET After finishing third and capturing the Dudley Eve Trophy in 1994-95, Somerset were expected to continue their rise this season under the second year coaching tandem of Josef Gooden and former national squad captain Dennis Brown.

This season, however, has witnessed the Trojans take a decidedly southerly path and look every bit like a candidate for the plunge to the Second Division, a region they have never explored.

The loss of midfielder Randy Simmons to Southampton in the off-season as well as the absence of team leader Reggie Tucker for much of the first half have severely hindered the west enders progress and ability to not only compete against the top sides, but even the lesser ones.

Defence has been porous, while the attack has thus far failed to get on track, with neither Rodney Bascome nor Lamaul Crofton able to find the range.

More trying times appear in the immediate future if neither of these are rectified, quickly.

Position: Eighth Record: 2-3-4 (league) 2-3-7 (overall) Cup competitions: Eliminated from Martonmere Cup during round robin phase; eliminated from Friendship Trophy Best result: 4-1 versus Somerset Eagles (October 29) DEVONSHIRE COLTS Following a slow start, Vic Ball's young Colts have shown signs of an outbreak in the weeks prior to the break.

Booted Dandy Town from the Friendship Trophy competition and hammered Somerset 3-0 for their first league triumph on December 17.

Have often shown ability to compete with the glamour outfits, but always seem to find ways to lose despite their efforts to the contrary.

Possess league's second best defence that has allowed only eight goals against, led by emerging star sweeper Shannon Burgess, who always finds joy in play regardless of whether his team is behind or ahead.

Speedy attacker Damon Ming has likewise distinguished himself as a star of the future, but is being brought along slowly by Ball.

In contrast senior forwards Craig Smith and Ellington Weldon have been disappointing as illustrated by the measly six goals scored by Colts in nine league matches.

Must build on success enjoyed just before break if they are to survive among elite.

Position: Ninth Record: 1-4-4 (league); 2-4-4 (overall) Cup competitions: None Best result: 3-0 versus Somerset (December 17) SOMERSET EAGLES There is no hope for the hopeless and this is certainly the category in which Somerset Eagles falls.

If anywhere a miracle is needed it is at White Hill, where after an opening victory against Devonshire Colts bad luck has been their constant companion.

It has gotten to the point where all other sides are anxiously queuing up to take on Eagles, all the while knowing victory to be assured.

Eagles reached their lowest ebb December 10 when they were thrashed 13-1 by Dandy Town at St. John's field.

Their return to the Second Division is all but confirmed even at this early stage, with coach Gary Mallory needing perhaps the greatest turnaround in modern history just to avoid the drop.

How does 1.00 p.m. kick-off sound? Position: 10th Record: 1-0-8 (league); 1-0-8 (overall) Cup competitions: None Best result: 1-0 versus Devonshire Colts (October 8) SEAN DILL -- The North Village hitman leads the First Division scoring with nine goals.

MID-TERM REPORT