Three goals in the first half by Sinclair Gibbons, Keith Jennings and Jamel Smith earned Vasco victory over St. David's at BAA Field yesterday, although they had to withstand a late rally from the Islanders.

Reduced to 10 players when Jennings was sent off by referee Cal Simons after just 31 minutes, Vasco were put under pressure by the visitors in the second half although the Islanders' only reward was a goal by Otis Minors four minutes from time.

After the sending off, St.David's frequently advanced deep into Vasco's half, but time and again players like striker Shane Weeks, substitute Lionel Cann and skipper Chae Simmons were slow in getting off their shots.

Such poor finishing was combined with some bad luck as Simmons hit the post after 58 minutes and Minors grazed a shot off the bar a minute from time. But Vasco deserved to take maximum points after having dominated play during the first half with a strong wind at their backs.

After Kanhai Fray had wasted an early chance by placing a shot wide in what turned out to be one of only two St. David's opportunities in the opening half, it was one-way traffic in favour of Vasco.

Gibbons put them ahead 1-0 after 22 minutes when he received a pass from full back Wayne Augustus and chipped the ball into goal, catching Sidney Minors well off his line.

After a glaring miss by Irving Burgess, Vasco went 2-0 up when Jennings scored from a free kick. But the player foolishly used foul language while taunting his opponents after the goal and referee Simons, who had booked him for rough play after 26 minutes, sent the striker off.

St. David's were unable to capitalise on this advantage and Jamel Smith put Vasco ahead 3-0 when he scored after 37 minutes.

The Islanders had another chance just before the half but Chae Simmons' shot from 15 yards was pushed around the post by keeper Timmy Figureido.

After a number of breakdowns, St.David's finally found the mark when Cann raced down the right flank and crossed for Minors to steer home from close range.

Vasco: T.Figureido; W.Augustus, D.Sharrieff, A.Tyrrell, K.Burchall; K.Smith, K.Jennings, A.Wolffe (D.Robinson, 68 mins); S.Gibbons (D.Basden, 70 mins), I.Burgess (M.Ferreira, 82 mins), J.Smith St. David's: S.Minors; C.Waldron, D.Hollis, A.Lugo, E.Wolffe; A.Bartley, K.Fray (L.Cann, 45 mins), W.Bean; S.Weeks (K.Lambe, 68 mins), C.Simmons, O.Minors Referee: Cal Simons.

Men of the match: Jamel Smith (Vasco); Otis Minors (St. David's).

Red card: Keith Jennings (Vasco).