Striker Michael Holdipp crowned his debut for Boulevard this season with two brilliant headers against Vasco yesterday.

And he gave the Blazers a head start psychologically for Friday's clash with Vasco in the Martonmere Cup final.

Holdipp -- replacing Kenny Hill as centre forward -- gave his team a flying start in the 12th minute.

He flicked the ball deftly with his head after team-mate Neil Robinson crossed from the right into the penalty area.

The ball crept into the left hand corner of the net, with Vasco's 'keeper Keenan Tucker seemingly frozen to the spot.

It was Holdipp's 35th minute header, however, which really got the home team's fans roaring at St. David's.

Holdipp was just inside the 16-yard area when he rose to a good cross from the right by Boulevard's defender Dean Boyles.

The ball flew from Holdipp's head past a surprised Tucker, clipping the underside of the crossbar as it went into the net.

The goal kept the Blazers' nose in front after Kentoine Jennings in the 21st minute had cancelled out Holdipp's opening strike.

Taking a leaf out of Holdipp's book, Jennings headed the ball home from close range following a free kick by Vasco defender Earl Richardson.

Richardson lofted the ball from 25 yards into Boulevard's area.

Jennings stealing in unmarked from the right nodded the ball firmly past the Blazers' stranded goalkeeper Mitchell Steede.

The 2-1 scoreline at half-time was a fair reflection of the play.

Boulevard had taken the game to their opponents from the outset, producing some entertaining football.

Stevie Wade, Robinson, Dwight Warren, Mitchelle Trott, and Holdipp linked up well, with some good short passing, although they failed to penetrate Vasco's defence with regularity.

After the restart Warren bucked the trend of headed goals with a well-taken shot from 12 yards in the 51st minute.

It was just rewards for pressure from the home team and hard work on the right flank by Robinson.

Vasco defender Donovan Livingston kept his team in the hunt with an unstoppable header in the 54th minute following a corner by Voorhees Astwood, who had an excellent afternoon.

The goal set up an intriguing final half an hour as Vasco went after Boulevard.

Boulevard hung on, however, although their day was marred by a string of bookings.

Referee Rex Osborne showed the yellow card to Donnie Charles, Albert Caisey, Wade, and Robinson.

For Vasco, defender Paul Towlson picked up a card for a hand ball.

Boulevard: M.Steede, D.Boyles, D.Charles, A.Caisey, G.Smith, V.Eve, S.Wade, N.Robinson, D.Warren, M.Trott (K.Darrell, 48 mins), M.Holdipp (M.Smith, 82 mins).

Vasco: K.Tucker, S.Gibbons, E.Richardson, P.Towlson, D.Livingston, F.Simmons (D.Stapley, 37 mins), K.Jennings, M.Ray, D.Thomas, I.Burgess (D.Basden, 53 mins), V.Astwood.

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the match: Michael Holdipp (Boulevard); Voorhees Astwood (Vasco).