Vasco 0 Boulevard 0 Referee Leroy Wilson came out of retirement only to find himself in the midst of more ugly scenes as fighting after the final whistle at BAA Field yesterday brought Police racing to the scene.

Ironically, the melee came one day short of exactly a year since Wilson refereed the match between Vasco and Devonshire Cougars on the same BAA ground which resulted in scenes that prompted him to reconsider his future as a referee.

Yesterday the same ref found that nothing had changed as he turned around after blowing the final whistle to see players from both teams involved in a free-for-all in the middle of the field.

One of the key figures in the fighting was Dwight Basden, the same player who was punched and kicked by the Swan brothers from Devonshire Cougars -- Ryan and Wendell -- last February 7 at BAA. Both have since been banned by the BFA.

This time the trouble began with Basden getting involved in a scuffle with Boulevard defender Dean Boyles just as the whistle sounded with the action on the southern corner of the field in the Vasco half.

The fighting started behind the referee in the centre circle as he was watching play at the other end of the field. He admitted he didn't see what sparked the incident.

Neither Wilson nor his two assistants, Cornell Castle and Treadwell Walker, were able to stop the fighting which quickly escalated with players and fans getting involved, though some were trying to restore order.

"I just turned around and everybody was in it,'' said Wilson. "I don't even know how it started. Nobody really settled down to play soccer.'' The fighting continued outside the teams' changing rooms where a large crowd gathered. Within minutes several police on patrol and unmarked cars, bikes and a truck arrived and prevented further fighting as they ordered those standing around to leave the ground or face arrest.

Wilson, who recently decided to resume officiating after finishing up at the end of last season, was appointed to this match only days ago as a replacement for Richard Knight. It was his first match of the season.

"I came out to help the referees and I'll be finishing the season off,'' vowed Wilson.

There was only one booking during the match, Vasco's Kuma Smith in the first half for committing a foul. Otherwise there was little entertainment in a match which saw Boyles and Basden involved in an ongoing battle. Twice Basden nearly set up goals for Clay Smith and then Chris Anderson with back post headers early in the second half. Both chances were lifted over the bar.

Vasco: T.Figureido; W.Augustus, D.Shaffieff, C.Roberts, J.Belboda, K.Burchall, K.Smith, K.Jennings (Q.Paynter 70 mins), D.Basden, C.Smith, C.Anderson (J.Smith 71 mins).

Boulevard: A.Tuzo; V.Even, L.Stevens, M.Trott, D.Boyles, R.Wilson, A.Brown (L.Crofton 61 mins), J.Payne, S.Wade, S.Crockwell, J.Samuels (L.Dill 83 mins).

Referee: Leroy Wilson Men of the match: Diallo Sharrieff (Vasco), Stevie Wade (Boulevard).

Yellow card: Kuma Smith (Vasco).