Five and a half months ago Vasco da Gama signed off the soccer season with a resounding victory, proclaiming them the best in the land.

Little has changed since... The point was made with reverberating effect on Saturday night as the reigning First Division champions sent a warning to all who might challenge, planting Boulevard as but a mere prop during much of a 3-2 victory that earned Vasco the Charity Cup for the second straight year.

Not to say that Vasco were without defects -- their passing was woeful early and a lack of fitness was exposed in the second half.

However, they showed themselves to possess that which is the most needed, yet equally scarce...firepower. And much of it.

All three of Vasco's front men scored -- Irving Burgess, Corey Hill and new signing Sammy Swan each finding the back of the net -- something that opposing coaches will need to seriously address when drawing up game plans.

It took but nine minutes for speedster Burgess to bring matters to life, punctuating a move instigated on the left side by Sinclair Gibbons with a far post header that beat Andre Hendrickson and began a miserable night for the Boulevard goalkeeper.

Stung by this early blow, the Blazers stormed back, forcing a pair of corners in the 13th minute and testing Tim Figureido, between the sticks for Vasco.

The 'keeper was forced into a desperate punched clearance from the first kick, before finally being able to gather the second following a goalmouth scramble.

Moments later Neil Robinson did well to create room for himself at the top of the penalty area, but was woeful with an attempted left-footed drive.

Vasco threatened to increase the lead on the half hour as Hill and centre-back Shawn Smith each had goalbound blasts saved off the line by a packed Blazers' defence following a right wing corner.

The half closed with Vasco in attacking mode, Voorhees Astwood watching Hendrickson smother a hard, low drive from 20 yards.

Cooled little by the break, Vasco doubled their advantage seven minutes into the second half, with Swan paying first dividends. The one-time PHC/Bermuda striker collected a ball from Hill at the penalty spot and in a single motion swivelled and shot, beating Hendrickson low to the left.

Boulevard's defence, which introduced the new partnership of Mitchell Trott and Donnie Charles in the centre and usual anchor Leroy Stevens pushed forward into a midfield role, were exposed for a lack of cohesion again in the 60th minute, this time Hill producing a solo effort for his first of the season.

Inexplicably allowed room to roam unmarked on the right flank, Hill did just that, bursting into the penalty area before unleashing an angled thunderbolt that found the mark.

Game over, right? Wrong.

Finally, three goals down, Boulevard awoke from hibernation in the 63rd minute as Bascome applied the finishing touches to a cross from Charles, now operating from an attacking midfield role.

And 10 minutes later the deficit was reduced further by Blazers, this time Stevie Wade breaking free to latch onto a perfect through-ball from Kenny Hill and slipping it under Figureido into the left corner.

Vasco were fading fast, but so was the clock, with a miracle comeback denied by the sounding of the final whistle.

Vasco: T.Figureido; D.Stapley, K.Jennings, S.Smith, E.Richardson; S.Gibbons, S.Arorash (T.Dickinson 73 mins), V.Astwood; I.Burgess, S.Swan (T.Caisey 77 mins), C.Hill (D.Basden 75 mins).

Boulevard: A.Hendrickson; L.Hypolite (A.Brown 90 mins), M.Trott, D.Charles, V.Eve; D.Warren, N.Robinson, L.Stevens; R.Bascome, K.Hill (N.Hull 88 mins), S.Wade.

Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of the match: Sinclair Gibbons (Vasco), Dwight Warren (Boulevard).