On a day of high drama at windswept National Stadium, Vasco stood firm, refusing to buckle in the face of adversity before finally defeating Boulevard on penalties in the Martonmere Cup final.

Full-back Earl Richardson's `twinkling of the twine' with the last and deciding spot-kick triggered joyous celebration in the Vasco camp, as players and fans stomped and paraded around the ground.

"A win's a win, no matter how you get it,'' was Voorhees Astwood's response when asked if the shoot-out diminished the feeling of triumph.

It was Astwood, a constant presence in midfield and up front for the newly crowned champions, who was responsible for the match reaching the penalty-kick stage.

A moment of opportunism three minutes from the end of regulation time found the former Bermuda national squad member in the right spot, six yards from goal. And he made no mistake knocking home the equaliser following a headed ball into the goalmouth from the left side by Donovan Livingston.

The goal marked the completion of a spirited comeback waged by the Portuguese club, after the Blazers had controlled without dominating for most of the match.

Utilising their trademark slow, deliberate style of play from the back, Boulevard dictated the pace and direction, with captain Neil Robinson the lynch-pin in most attacking manoeuvres.

And it was only after the half-time interval that Vasco appeared to have any inclination to stop their opponents, changing from their previous position of absorbing pressure and counter attacking, to one of all out attack.

"The difference was that in the first half we played a zoning game which allowed Boulevard to get in a rhythm, but in the second half we knocked them off by playing more high pressure,'' added Astwood.

"They can't handle pressure, so that change was the key.

"It seems like in cup games we pick our game up, we just have to be able to do that throughout the year.'' Prior to the late goal it was Boulevard who looked every bit like carting away the winners' trophy for the second straight year.

Vasco caused a scare in the seventh minute when Livingston, forward of his centre-back spot, showed surprising nimbleness, turning two defenders inside the penalty area before having his shot from eight yards blocked.

But Boulevard quickly responded with Robinson streaking up the middle only to be denied by Vasco goalkeeper Timmy Figuerido, who parried his shot and then bothered Dwight Warren just enough on his follow-up, forcing Warren to fire wide.

After 22 minutes Corey Hill's acrobatics almost paid off, but his overhead bicycle kick from five yards dipped agonisingly over the crossbar.

Making Vasco pay for their lack of finishing was Warren in the 24th minute, as the forward, known more for his ability to manufacture chances than score from them, made excellent use of his head as a cross from the right by Dean Boyles was glanced ever so faintly past the challenging Figuerido and into goal.

Buoyed by the strike, Boulevard played with increasing confidence, with the midfield in full flow, while the defence marshalled by centre-backs Donnie Charles and Leroy Stevens, with help from Albert Caisey and Dean Boyles, continually stymied any attacks by Vasco.

Meanwhile, Vasco struggled, with the just imported Corey Hill having difficulty adjusting to his new team-mates and strike partner Irving Burgess out of touch.

This scenario continued into the second half, until Vasco threw caution to the wind, pressing forward, with centre-backs Paul Towlson and Livingston joining in the forays and causing worry for Boulevard.

After the equaliser, extra time yielded little and it came down to penalty kicks, with Charles converting first for Boulevard, before Astwood missed his, banging a left-foot shot off the right upright.

George Smith, hitherto a steadying force, later missed on Boulevard's third attempt, levelling the series at 2-2. It stayed level, going to 3-3 when Robinson stepped up for his kick and proceeded with the day's worst shot, sending the ball miserably wide and setting the stage for Richardson to seal the deal for Vasco.

Through the celebration, coach Jack Castle was already thinking beyond the result to the challenges ahead.

"It's definitely a morale booster and hopefully will mark a turnaround for the season,'' said Castle, enjoying his first title since joining as head coach. "It just goes to show what can be accomplished with a little guts, heart, determination and teamwork.

"Once we tied it up I always thought it was only a matter of time before we'd score....it just came a little later than expected.'' Vasco: T.Figuerido; S.Gibbons, D.Livingston, P.Towlson, E.Richardson; W.Burgess (D.Basden 65 mins), K.Jennings, K.Roberts, V.Astwood; I.Burgess (F.Simmons 83 mins), C.Hill.

Boulevard: M.Steede; A.Caisey, D.Charles, L.Stevens, D.Boyles; G.Smith, V.Eve (K.Darrell 80 mins), N.Robinson; D.Warren, S.Wade (M.Smith 58 mins), M.Holdipp.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Donovan Livingston (Vasco); George Smith (Boulevard).

Sean Dill hammered home a cross from left full-back Arthur Simons after 73 minutes to give North Village a 1-0 victory over Dandy Town in the Martonmere Cup consolation final.

Town paid dearly for their missed opportunities, after holding a decisive edge from start to finish.

Time and time again they pinned down their opponents with some good approach work but didn't have the finishing touches to put the ball away.

But some credit had to go to Village goalkeeper Gladwin Edness who advanced several times to collect defence-splitting crosses.