Well-taken goals in each half by Kentoine Jennings and Dwight Basden enabled Vasco to retain the FA Cup at National Stadium yesterday, dashing Devonshire Cougars' hopes of taking the prestigious trophy with them to the Second Division.

This contest sprung to life when Jennings' long range header broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, with Vasco raising their game another notch to dictate proceedings.

And then late in the second half the match was put out of Cougars' reach by Basden, just seconds after referee Esten Curtis ignored confident appeals from the Devonshire players for a penalty.

That would have certainly brought Cougars back into the game but Curtis was close enough to the incident to judge that Kentoine Jennings' challenge on Philip Clarke, which sent him sprawling, was a fair one, and he waved play on.

"As any coach would be when things are going against him, I thought Mr.

Curtis could have called a penalty, but then again that's how it goes sometimes,'' said Cougars coach Mark Jennings afterwards.

Jennings also mentioned the semi-final win over St. George's when a controversial goal settled that game in his team's favour.

"I don't blame the referee, even though I had a thought in my mind that it might have been a penalty,'' said the coach. "I look at us for what we didn't do and not the referee. He was out there and did his job.'' There were few clear cut chances in the game before Jennings' strike. The best of the opportunities prior to the opening goal came just a minute before Jennings struck, as Derek Stapley's cross from deep on the right landed at the feet of Dwight Basden but he sidefooted the ball generously to 'keeper Leon Place as he tried to control it. Vasco were enjoying a period of dominance and just a minute later they were to seize the upper hand when another cross from the right, this time from a Donovan Livingston free kick found Jennings on the far corner of the penalty spot.

The former professional met the ball powerfully and what at first looked like a harmless header towards goal, considering the distance, quickly turned into trouble for Place as the ball was held up by the wind on its way to the far top corner, with Place left helpless.

High crosses to the far post were clearly unsettling the Cougars defence and just a minute before the break they were exposed again, but this time the unmarked Basden headed over the top from an angle as the defence watched.

Vasco had two good opportunities early in the second half to go further ahead, the first of which Walton Burgess wasted in the 51st minute after slipping through into the box on the left side. Then Basden turned and shot over the top as Vasco kept up the pressure.

Cougars did put the ball in the net in the 58th minute with a move which was started in their own half by full back Maxwell Dill who kept moving forward with the play and laid on the cross from the left which Marlon Lindsay converted. But the flag was already up for offside.

Cougars were preparing to make their first substitution, with Jamal Salaam waiting to come on for Lindsay, which might have forced a rethink had the goal stood.

Philip Clarke went close with a strong run towards goal after beating Livingston to a loose ball and racing forward before blasting his shot over the top.

The determination was seen in Cougars' game as Vasco hung on to their slim lead. After Wali Salaam of Cougars was booked for a dangerous foul, Vasco made two quick substitutions, with Larance Durham replacing Walton Burgess and then Sinclair Gibbons coming on for Earl Richardson two minutes later. Richardson went off holding his mouth after taking a knock in the face.

Clarke's strength caused Vasco some concern and moments after the challenge from Jennings, Vasco went upfield and scored an insurance goal with Basden cutting in from the right flank and neatly chipping the ball over the advancing Leon Place.

The closest Cougars came to scoring after that was in the 84th minute when Paul Towlson conceded a free kick against Clarke and was booked. Shawn Smith curled in his shot from the left side but Tim Figureido was equal to the task, tipping the ball over the bar.

Vasco finished the match with 10 men when Basden was taken off with an ankle injury after falling awkwardly as he went up for a high ball with Galvin Butterfield.

"It all went according to plan,'' said Vasco coach John Rebello who, for the second straight season, has led them to the FA Cup.

"We worked hard in the last two weeks and came out here after being written off and played some great, attractive football. We showed on the day we were the better team, but all the best to Cougars, they gave a good account of themselves.'' For Cougars, the gamble of playing Clarke in a deeper role instead of up front alongside strike partner Clevie Campbell, did not pay off.

He eventually pushed forward into a more attacking position in a late, desperate attempt to save the game.

"We thought that giving Philip the opportunity of running with the ball might help us but it probably didn't and as coach I take responsibility for it,'' said Jennings.

Vasco: T.Figureido; D.Stapley, P.Towlson, D.Livingston, E.Richardson (S.Gibbons 73 mins), K.Roberts, M.Ray, K.Jennings, W.Burgess (L.Durham 71 mins), I.Burgess, D.Basden.

Cougars: L.Place; G.Butterfield, S.Smith, D.Durrant, M.Dill; D.Russell, W.Salaam, S.Coddington, P.Clarke, C.Campbell, M.Lindsay (J.Salaam 58 mins) Referee: Esten Curtis Men of match: Kentoine Jennings (Vasco), Darrid Durrant (Cougars).

All Bermuda's Under-23 players named in the training squad for the Olympic qualifier, are reminded of a meeting tonight at the BFA office at 6.30. Anyone unable to attend should contact the BFA.