Vasco 3 Southampton 1 abandoned after 80 mins Referee Lawrence Deshields was forced to abandon yesterday's match between Vasco and Southampton at BAA Field after outbreaks of violence among players and fans.

Deshields made the decision to put an end to proceedings in the 80th minute, shortly after Vasco had taken a 3-1 lead, when a bottle was thrown into the penalty area near to the reigning champions' goalkeeper Timmy Figureido, apparently by a Rangers fan.

Deshields and his linesmen inspected the scene and consulted with each other before blowing the whistle to signal the abandonment.

Deshields said afterwards: "A bottle was thrown onto the field. We're not sure if it was intended to hit Timmy but the situation was serious enough for me to call it quits.'' When asked if victory would be awarded to Vasco, he replied: "That is not my decision.'' Instead, a report will be made to the Bermuda Football Association, who will consider appropriate action.

Earlier, in the 32nd minute, there had been equally ugly scenes as Vasco's Keith Jennings and Rangers' Janeiro Tucker squared up to each other.

Jennings reacted angrily following a strong tackle from Tucker and appeared to elbow the Southampton player, a reaction seemingly missed by Deshields.

Tucker retaliated, unleashing a fluryy of swings as both players tangled.

Players from both teams became involved, pushing and shoving each other until order was eventually restored.

After consulting with his linesmen Deshields issued Jennings with a yellow card while Tucker was sent off. That sparked outrage from Rangers' fans and it seemed inevitable another incident might follow.

Ending the match prematurely was probably Deshields' best call of the day, however -- and not only because both teams had been upset by some inconsistent decisions. Both sides failed to produce any football of note in a scrappy encounter.

Vasco, however, had netted through Ascento Russell twice and Sinclair Gibbons while Sheridan Ming squeezed in a penalty for Southampton.

Vasco T.Figureido, C.Roberts, Ken.Jennings, W.Augustus, O.Steede, D.Robinson, Kei.Jenings, D.Sharrieff, D.Basden (L.Durham 52 mins), A.Russell, S.Gibbons.

Southampton R.Darrell, D.Vicker, D.Charles, P.Brangman, J.Raynor, J.Tucker, N.Grant, J.Dill (R.Brunson 58 mins), S.Ming, C.Darrell, R.Belboda.

Referee Lawrence Deshields