Boulevard Blazers took advantage of terrible defensive mistakes to thrash Vasco at Goose Gosling Field, yesterday, and remain in the hunt for promotion in the Bermuda First Division.

The home side got out of the blocks quickly, opening the scoring inside six minutes. A set-piece was poorly cleared by the visitors’ defence, leading to Ian Coke finishing past Vasco goalkeeper Paulo Flora.

Minutes later, they doubled their lead. This time from open play, they cut open the visitors’ defence with a few sharp passes, before Tiquan Davis fed Coke for his second of the day.

Midway through the first half, Vasco pulled one back. Midfielder Lamaul Crofton smashed a free-kick low past Azir Harvey from 25 yards out, to give the visitors hope.

With little over ten minutes remaining in the first period, Blazers regained their two-goal lead. A free-kick swung in by Davis was poorly cleared by the visitors, and a goal mouth scramble ensued. Coke pounced on the loose ball and finished to complete his hat-trick.

Neither side created anything else of note, despite Vasco gaining territory, in the final moments of the first half. The defensive pairing of Jerome Bailey and Niko Smith stood firm despite increasing pressure in forward areas by the visitors’ attack.

Ten minutes into the second period, the 2009 Premier Division runners-up increased their advantage. A powerful strike from Davis, who was in acres of space just inside the opposition half, could only be parried by Flora before Coke sprinted in to finish into the empty net.

The visitors tried to gain a foothold back into the game, but they could only muster a few half-chances. Despite creating several promising openings, they often made the wrong decisions in the final third.

Just before the final whistle, the two-time Shield and three-time Charity Cup winners added a fifth. This time, Coke turned provider, whipping in a enticing ball from the right edge of the penalty area. It was met by substitute Kenyade McQueen, whose initial effort was well saved by Flora, before he slotted home the rebound.

Boulevard assistant coach Troy Smith was pleased with the overall performance.

“We did well today,” he said. “We need to be more controlled in possession.”

Smith also wants his side to take more time in its approach. “We must be more patient in our build-up,” he added.

SCORERS

Boulevard: Coke 5, 9, 33, 55; McQueen 90+1

Vasco: Crofton 31

TEAMS

Boulevard (4-1-4-1): A Harvey 5 – T Stovell 5(sub: T Swan 66 5), J Bailey 5, N Smith 6, A Smith 6 (sub: Z Stovell 76) – T Davis 6 (sub: N Augustus 66 5)- D Hendrickson 6 (sub: K McQueen 76), Z Burchall 4 (sub: T Robinson 20 5), A Famous 6, K Easton 5 – I Coke 8 Subs not used: M Hewey

Vasco (4-2-3-1): P Flora 4 – J Faria 4, M Gerardo 4, T Pimentel 4, A Dacosta 3 – K Godfrey 5 (sub: J Springer 81), K Cabral 5 – S Brown 5, K Hamilton 5 (sub: K Hillier 64 4), L Morrison 5 (sub: K Place 78) – L Crofton 5

Referee: A Majors