Past cup performances would give Vasco and Boulevard the edge over St.

George's and North Village in tonight's Martonmere Cup semi-finals at BAA Field...thus setting up a repeat of the 1994 final which Vasco won on penalty kicks.

If St. George's are to reach the final at the first attempt they will have to succeed where four other teams before them have failed.

The East Enders take on Vasco in tonight's 9.00 o'clock match, a task expected to be even more difficult as Vasco bid to defend both their title and their unbeaten record this season.

Four teams have tried to beat Vasco so far, including Boulevard and Dandy Town in two attempts, so St. George's can hardly underestimate the task facing them.

Even so, confidence is high in their camp that they can manage to cap their entry into the competition with an appearance in the final against either Boulevard or Village, two former teams of coach Herbie Bascome.

"If we win this trophy we will go forward from there,'' said Bascome who noted the only thing preventing St. George's from becoming a major force was that first major trophy which has so far eluded them.

Their only appearance in a major final was in the 1987 Friendship competition when they lost to PHC 4-3.

Coach Bascome has hinted at changes to the team -- tactical changes to counter Vasco's strength, with Quinton Francis likely to return from midfield to central defence alongside Neil Paynter with Dwayne Richardson in contention for a midfield spot.

"I go according to who we're playing, how we're playing and what we need to do,'' said Bascome.

"For certain teams you want to use certain strategies and I feel the team I'm going to pick will break Vasco down, as long as we play to our plan.'' Striker Ricky Hill is doubtful with a hamstring injury, leaving Jerry Laws, who is back from injury, on standby to fill his spot alongside Clay Smith and Dean Minors up front.

"I've seen something where they (Vasco) are beatable,'' said Bascome. "If we go to try to beat Vasco right away we might fail, but if we break them down it would be easier beating them...breaking their attack.

"I looked at the goal Irving (Burgess) got against Boulevard on TV and if they are unmarked they are going to beat us, because he and Corey (Hill) are opportunist players. We have to keep an eye on them.'' Much responsibility rests with the Bailey brothers, Dean and Phillip, at full-back, trying to cut down the service of Hill and Burgess on the flanks.

All four teams are guaranteed of playing on the "carpet'' on November 11 -- with the issue being who will be the opening act and who will be the main attraction. The 1 p.m. match features tonight's two losers in the battle for third place.

Vasco, who beat Boulevard on penalty kicks last year, are favourites to return to the final. What they may lack in terms of numbers they make up for with a strong starting line-up with Derek Stapley, Kentoine Jennings, Shawn Smith and Earl Richardson making up their back four and the midfield including Karl Roberts, Steven Arorash and former St. George's player, Sinclair Gibbons.

Boulevard have been in the last two finals, having beaten Village in the semi-finals on each of those occasions and they will be hoping for a third straight triumph. The honours between the teams have been shared of late with Village winning both league encounters last year.

In the '93-94 season they met six times, with both league matches finishing in scoreless draws, Village winning in the Dudley Eve semi-finals and Boulevard the FA Cup quarter-final replay.

Vasco certainly have had St. George's number since they returned to the First Division for the 1993-94 season. The teams have met six times, including four times in '93-94, and Vasco have won four, drawn one and lost one, with that lone St. George's victory coming two years ago when Neil Paynter's goal gave them a 1-0 away win in the league.

The Island's three top goalkeepers will be in action tonight, Dwayne Adams of Village, Troy Hall of St. George's and Vasco's Timmy Figureido, which could suggest close, low scoring matches. Boulevard will decide between the more experienced Mitchell Steede and talented youngster Hewonnie Brown.

Each team have their potentional match winners, with Vasco sporting Burgess, Hill and Dwight Basden up front, St. George's looking to the skill of Clay Smith, particularly from free kicks on the edge of the box, and Village relying on the experience of Elliott Jennings to go with the flair of captain Damon Wade on the flank.

Boulevard have captain Dwight Warren and Stevie Wade who are capable of taking half chances.