Vasco 3 St David’s 3

(Vasco won 8-7 on penalties)

Vasco da Gama achieved an historic victory over ten-men St David’s in a Shield preliminary match that went the distance at Bernard Park yesterday.

Vasco won 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out that went into sudden death where substitute Florin Teleman scored the winner moments after Fabio Medeiros, the Vasco goalkeeper, saved Marcus Proctor’s tame effort.

Their hard-fought victory was especially sweet as it was their first since rejoining the Bermuda Football Association at the beginning of the season after being dormant for two decades.

“It’s our first win and it’s really encouraging for the boys,” Brian Dickinson, the Vasco coach, said.

“They stepped up and made it happen. It’s been a long 11 games and No 11 is not ‘Sweet 16’ but our sweet 11 and I’ll always cherish it as my first win with Vasco da Gama.”

Ricardo Ponte, the Vasco captain, believes that the results have done his team’s performances an injustice.

“St David’s only had ten men but they played really well,” the midfielder said. “Our first win is always special.”

Aaron Lugo, the St David’s coach, said he was disappointed to only have ten men. “We have to address why guys didn’t come but give credit to the ten that did show up,” Lugo said.

Vasco went close when defender Daniel Teleman dragged wide and midfielder Nuno DeSilva’s 30-yard free kick struck the woodwork. St David’s took the lead against the run of play when midfielder Justin Pitcher converted a cross from close range.

Vasco equalised just before the break when DeSilva drilled Ponte’s pass in off the far post.

Striker Kyle Godfrey gave the home side the lead for the first time when he slotted into an empty net after Delvin Fishenden, the St David’s goalkeeper, slipped while rushing off his line to gather Artur Paulino’s cross. St David’s grabbed a late equaliser when Kontai Burton scored from a free kick.

Vasco regained the lead in spectacular fashion during the first period of extra time when Marco Mota volleyed home Paulino’s cross. However, Burton scored his second of the match with a low shot to send the game to penalties where Vasco ultimately prevailed.

SCORERS

Vasco DeSilva 38, Godfrey 76, Mota 119

St David’s

Pitcher 18, Burton 87, 120

TEAMS

Vasco (4-3-3): F Medeiros — D Teleman, S Teleman, A Paulino, A Brewster (sub: C Corriera, 78min) — K Harvey, N DeSilva, R Ponte - E Vieira (sub: K Arruda, 71), M Mota, K Godfrey (sub: F Teleman, 87). Substitutes not used: K Pachecho, R Lopes, M Semus, R Bell, H Steven-Carty. Booked: Paulino, Stefan Teleman, DeSilva, Ponte.

St David’s (4-2-3): D Fishenden — W Jones, D Butterfield, E Robinson, M Proctor - J Pitcher, K Davis — J Daniels, D Hendrickson, K Burton. Booked: Proctor.

Referee: C Trott.