penalty by Earl Richardson finally separated the teams in a tense, hard-fought semi-final last night at BAA Field.

But it took a senseless handball by St. George's defender Neil Paynter to create the chance when he reached over a player -- both with their backs to goal near the edge of the box -- to knock the ball with his hand.

Richardson, who doesn't miss from the penalty spot, blasted his spotkick straight down the middle to beat Troy Hall who had already committed himself to his left. It was his third penalty of the season.

It was a cruel blow for St. George's who, for the second straight Martonmere Cup match, were beaten by a penalty. Three weeks ago Boulevard beat them with a 90th minute penalty at Somerset.

The November 11 final will be a repeat of last year's final between Vasco and Boulevard.

It was evident from early in this match that only one goal would settle the game, as neither team gave much away during a first half which produced few chances.

The first corner did not come until the ninth minute when Vasco won one on the right side, while St. George's did not get their first corner until the 23rd minute. The cup holders looked slightly the more penetrative team during the first 15 minutes though neither goalkeeper was called on to make a save.

The St. George's defence did a good job of keeping Vasco's front men Corey Hill, Irving Burgess and Dwight Basden quiet while at the other end the Vasco back line gave Clay Smith, Dean Minors and Jerry Laws little scope.

The best chance for St. George's came in the 38th minute when a Vasco freekick came to nothing and the long kick upfield by Troy Hall put Smith on a run towards goal and with just two defenders covering. And though he beat Derek Stapley to the ball, Smith put his effort over the top from a good position after getting off a shot with his favoured left foot.

Vasco had another injury scare when goalkeeper Timmy Figureido needed treatment for running into Clay Smith's boot when he hurried off his line to chase a loose ball and then fell heavily, injuring his leg.

St. George's were hoping to make something of Clay Smith's freekick but he was restricted to just one from outside the box in the first half, which he chipped over the wall but Figureido collected comfortably.

A second came four minutes into the second half and this time he went closer, putting this effort just inches over the crossbar.

The penalty knocked St. George's off their stride as Vasco gained in confidence. Kentoine Jennings and Shawn Smith remained solid in the heart of their defence while Karl Roberts, Sinclair Gibbons and Steven Arorash had a fair share of possession in midfield.

St. George's mostly threatened on counter-attacks when long balls forward caught Vasco stretched at the back. It happened in the 70th minute when such a ball created an opening for Smith but Figureido was quick off his line to block his shot.

A minute later at the other end Hill wasted a good chance to double the Vasco lead when he collected a pass at the far post and was unmarked.

St. George's tried desperately for the equaliser late in the match but could find no way through a tight Vasco defence which included fullbacks Derek Stapley and Earl Richardson.

Vasco: T.Figureido; D.Stapley, S.Smith, K.Jennings, E.Richardson; K.Roberts, S.Arorash, S.Gibbons (W.Kirkpatrick 75min); I.Burgess (F.Simmons 85min), D.Basden, C.Hill.

St. George's: T.Hall; D.Bailey, N.Paynter, Q.Francis, P.Bailey; D.Richardson, S.Dickinson (G.Foggo 58min), D.Wright (M.Outerbridge 72min); C.Smith, D.Minors, J.Laws (C.Simmons 83min).

Men of match: Karl Roberts (Vasco), Dean Bailey (St. George's).

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Earl Richardson