It all happened for Vasco during a 17-minute period in the second half as the FA Cup champions started the new season the way they ended the last -- by picking up a trophy.

Last night it was the Charity Cup after goals in the 54th and 71st minutes put paid to Boulevard in this the first game of the season. Part proceeds will be donated to Agape House.

There were a couple of embarrasing moments for Vasco during the second half, as they were unable to make their first substitution after Sinclair Gibbons handed the substitute's slip to the third official only to discover he had not been listed on the Vasco team sheet.

And with three more games coming up in the next six days, Vasco suffered the loss of a key player when new signing Steven Arorash celebrated his arrival from Somerset Trojans by getting sent off for a second bookable offence -- taking off his shirt to celebrate Vasco's second goal by Irving Burgess in the 71st minute.

Despite being down to 10 men Vasco were never in fear of losing their comfortable two-goal lead late in the match as they kept their opponents at bay, having looked the better team over the 90 minutes.

Referee Stuart Crockwell was kept busy during a scoreless first half, which started with the loss of two brand new balls in the opening seven minutes after they went into the crowd and over the wall and never returned.

Crockwell had his yellow card flashing as early as the ninth minute when Boulevard goalkeeper Mitchell Steede fouled Dwight Basden outside the penalty box. Corey Hill lifted the freekick over the bar.

Fullback Albert Steede became the second Boulevard caution two minutes later when he also committed a foul.

Vasco were looking the better team at this stage as the speed of front men Hill, Basden and Irving Burgess caused the Boulevard back four many problems.

Both teams had new players included in their lineups, with Vasco fielding Arorash in their midfield and former Devonshire Cougars captain Shawn Smith in the middle of defence alongside Kentoine Jennings.

Boulevard tried Dwayne (Liquid) Bean, formerly of Devonshire Cougars, in Dean Boyles' spot at rightback and returnee Clinton Caisey in midfield.

Neil Robinson, whose career looked over after a fractured ankle last November, made an encouraging return, playing the entire 90 minutes with no visible discomfort.

Arorash was booked in the 27th minute for a senseless foul from behind on Warren as Boulevard started to come more and more into the game as the first half wore on.

Their best chance fell to Warren who drove a 25-yarder just over the bar, but otherwise Vasco looked the better side, closing out the half with a wasted chance by Irving Burgess at the far post.

Vasco's luck change in the second half when Corey Hill intercepted a wayward pass from George Smith on the edge of the Boulevard penalty area, dribbled into the box, calmly ran the ball around the advancing Steede and then steered a left-footed shot into goal.

With three substitutions allowed this season, Vasco tried to make their first in the 67th minute with Gibbons the intended replacement for Frankie Simmons only to discover he was not listed as a sub.

Andre Thompson made his first appearance for Boulevard, coming on for the limping Clinton Caisey in the 69th minute but it was Vasco who scored a second goal two minutes later as Burgess converted Arorash's cross.

Vasco: T.Figureido; D.Stapley, S.Smith, K.Jennings, E.Richardson; K.Roberts, S.Arorash, F.Simmons (W.Burgess 75min); I.Burgess (P.Richardson 86min), C.Hill, D.Basden (B.Kirkpatrick 77min).

Boulevard: M.Steede; A.Caisey, L.Stevens, G.Smith, D.Bean (C.Rogers 88min), D.Warren, C.Caisey (A.Thompson 69min), J.Samuels (R.Lambe 77min), M.Holdipp, V.Eve, N.Robinson.

Men of match: Shawn Smith (Vasco), Dwight Warren (Boulevard) Referee: Stuart Crockwell.