By their standards, defending champions WASA FC started the 2008 National Super League a bit sluggishly.

They still did enough, however, to earn themselves a 3-1 victory over newcomers St Francois Nationals at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Monday evening.

St Francois flattered to deceive themselves that perhaps victory was possible when they took the lead in the first half. But the WASA tide rose in the dying minutes of the session, immersing the lapse that had let in their opponents.

It was Garvin Gulston who gave the 2007 Northern Football Association champs the lead in the 27th minute, despite some nervous moments at the back inside the first 15 minutes. WASA looked the most likely to score, and should have buried at least two chances.

In the 16th minute, Mervyn Brooks blazed past a defender on the left flank and delivered a fine cross into the 18-metre box. Stevon Stoute slid in to poke the ball past St Francois goalie Jason Bowen, who did well to deflect it.

Brooks seemed to be blessed with chances, but, with enough time and space, fired way over a vulnerable Bowen.

Gulston made no such mistake, although his shot needed a rebound off defender Vernon Bailey past WASA goalie Barry Villaroel.

WASA got the fightback going with a 45th minute item from Wesley Noriega, who stabbed home a loose ball from 12 metres out.

St Francois continued their bold attack in the second period, but it proved their undoing, as WASA exploited spaces in their defence.

Stoute surged past a defender on the right touch line and delivered a low cross for Jerome Dickinson to finish 13 minutes after the break.

WASA then capped off the scoring with Kevin Daniel making room for himself and teeing it up for Michael Celestine to ram home from close range in the 69th.

After that, the Northerners had just one look in at goal and WASA had what turned out to be comfortable win in their opening match.

Today, Joe Public FC begin their Super League campaign by hosting Harlem Strikers from 4.15 p.m., while Angostura 1976 Phoenix travel to Chaguaramas to meet Defence Force.

M&M Harvard and Crab Connection do battle at the Hasely Crawford Stadium's training field, and then UTT make their debut against the National Under-20 team at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

And Alcoa Carenage United tackle Club Sando at the Eddie Hart Ground.

All other matches except the Joe Public/Strikers fixture kick off at 4 p.m.