Not even the surprise appearance of last season's top goalscorer Rohaan Simons could inject the sort of fire that Southampton Rangers needed in this Martonmere Cup tie at Bernard Park yesterday.

Simons, who thought about quitting soccer for track and field after being overlooked by the Bermuda national squad last season, showed some positive signs after starting the game. But too many of his team-mates suffered mediocre performances which enabled Vasco to cruise to a comfortable win and so bundle Southampton out of the tournament.

Keith Jennings spearheaded Vasco's victory, scoring two goals, while Sinclair Gibbons added the other. Sheridan Ming netted a penalty for Southampton who lost their previous outing 3-0 against Boulevard.

With forwards Kwame and Janeiro Tucker forced out of the line-up because of their impending appearance for Bermuda in the Red Stripe cricket tournament in Guyana, chances were rare for Southampton with an ineffective strikeforce causing the defence little concern.

Vasco, in sharp contrast, looked more creative and their go-ahead goal was inevitable, coming when Jennings curled home an accurate free kick from the left after just 16 minutes.

Despite their dominance Vasco were unable to score again before the half and, as it was, it was a blatant foul by Jennings that led to Southampton's equaliser after 37 minutes.

He pulled Rohaan Simons down from behind and Ming put home the penalty with a poorly-hit shot that hit keeper Tim Figureido's hands and rolled over the goal-line.

But Vasco put the result out of reach early when play resumed.

On 48 minutes Sinclair Gibbons netted from an angle on the left after getting by two defenders, and six minutes later Jennings floored Southampton for good when he angled home another shot -- this time from the right when he was 19 yards out.

Concerned after goalkeeper Randy Darrell had let in two questionable shots from Jennings, Rangers replaced him with Michael Higgs after 62 minutes but by then the damage had been done.

While Darrell could be faulted for not being alert, too many of his team-mates also had a hand in this jaded display.

Vasco: T.Figureido; W.Augustus, D.Sharrieff, Ken.Jennings, E.Richardson (D.Stapley, 86 mins); Kei.Jennings, O.Steede, S.Gibbons (L.Durham, 78 mins); D.Robinson, A.Russell, R.Lightbourne.

Southampton: R.Darrell (M.Higgs, 84 mins); S.Simmons, P.Brangman, D.Charles, J.Raynor; S.Ming, V.Ball (A.Tucker, 57 mins), C.Darrell; R.Simons, D.Tucker, T.Wilkinson (O.Hart, 84 mins).

Referee: Lawrence DeShields.

Men of the match: Keith Jennings (Vasco); Craig Darrell (Rangers).

ONE THAT GOT AWAY -- Vasco goalkeeper Timmy Figureido got his hands to this penalty from Sheridan Ming but was unable to prevent the ball from bouncing into the net. Vasco still went on to score a 3-1 victory over Southampton at Bernard Park yesterday.