after Thursday's 5-0 thrashing of Boulevard, while Devonshire Colts and the Blazers face an early exit from the double elimination tournament which moves to White Hill Field tomorrow.

And the message Vasco sent out will no doubt extend further than the holiday tournament as they are already favourites in the league race where they hold a two-point lead at the top of the standings with a game in hand.

Tomorrow, Vasco take on North Village in the winners' bracket at 12.30, with the winners advancing to the final, while Colts and Boulevard will attempt to avoid elimination in the 2.30 fixture.

History has shown that teams losing in the first round seldom come back to win the trophy, which should give Colts and Boulevard something to aim for. But whoever wins the competition will have to beat red-hot Vasco at least once.

The last team to come from the losers' bracket to clinch the trophy were PHC in 1989-90 when they bounced back from a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Dandy Town in their opening match to win the competition for a record fourth time.

The Zebras gained revenge over Town in the final, winning the first leg 4-1 and then drawing 2-2 to win on aggregate.

Village are hungry for success in this competition, not having won it since 1987-88. Their only appearance in the final since then was four years ago when they went down to Dandy Town.

Village will tomorrow welcome back Kevin Jennings, who missed the Colts match on Thursday because of suspension. But Vasco should still have the edge, having beaten the Red Devils 4-2 in their league match at Bernard Park last month.

Village coach Kenny Thompson admitted after that match that his team did not perform well defensively. But if they can keep Vasco's rampant front line quiet they may have a chance.

If Vasco rely on the cool head of Sammy Swan to lead their attack, Village have their own key man up front in the experienced Elliott Jennings. Both found the net on Thursday night.

"We played a lot of attractive football but this result really counts for nothing at this stage as we might have to meet them again later in the competition,'' said Vasco coach John Rebello afterwards.

"However, I suppose it gives us a step up on everyone else.'' Ottis Steede was inspirational in the Vasco midfield and the former PHC star, who played a part in their triumph last season, is looking for more Dudley Eve glory.

"Ottis had a very good game and scored a great goal,'' said his coach. "I started him on the left of midfield but because Boulevard were playing four in midfield with only two up front it allowed Ottis to drift into the centre.'' Vasco had Voorhees Astwood on their bench, awaiting his first appearance of the season, while left-back Earl Richardson is being kept out of his starting position by Burton Bruce. Richardson, a sub on Thursday night, was dropped after a recent dispute.

The winners of the Vasco-Village match will advance to the final and enjoy a rest until the first leg next Sunday while the losers will meet the winners of the Colts-Boulevard clash on Boxing Day in St. David's to determine the second finalist.

The two leg final will take place at Bernard Park and Wellington Oval.