Danvers Seymour, the Somerset Trojans coach, has described his team’s remarkable fightback against Boulevard in the preliminary round of the Friendship Trophy as “one of the biggest wins” of his coaching career.

Trojans’ title defence appeared to be done and dusted when they found themselves trailing 4-2 with six minutes remaining at Police Field on Sunday.

However, there is something about the Friendship Trophy that brings the best out of Trojans, as the West Enders bagged three goals in a manic five-minutes to turn the game around and leave Boulevard shellshocked.

“It was awesome to come back from a 4-2 deficit in six minutes,” said Seymour, who coached Trojans to a record-tying tenth Premier Division title two seasons ago.

“This is one of the biggest wins that I have been involved in during my stint coaching the senior team.”

Seymour urged his players on from the bench even when their chances of salvaging something from the tie appeared bleak.

“We have to be optimistic even when it seems the chips are down and as coach it is my job to continue to drive the team on and never concede defeat,” he said. “Of course it started to look slim as the game got close to the end. But I always express to the team the importance of playing for the full 90 minutes.

“When things are going against you, you feel like you are out of it, but this proved that you are never out of it. You never put your head down and always play to the end because anything is possible.

“Every win is a morale booster but I think coming from behind taught us the lesson to never give up and fight to the end because anything can happen in the blink of an eye.”

Ian Coke, the Boulevard striker, opened the scoring in the eighteenth minute after a defensive mix-up between Trojans defender Dennis Lister and goalkeeper Shaquille Bean.

Trojans levelled on the half-hour mark when Jonathan Bean was brought down just outside the penalty box, with midfielder Vernon Perinchief curling the ensuing free kick into the net.

Boulevard restored their lead in the 38th minute courtesy of Coke’s second goal of the game with an unmarked header.

Coke helped himself to a hat-trick in the 60th minute with a neat finish, before Justin Corday pulled a goal back after drilling a powerful shot home.

Boulevard appeared to have struck the decisive blow when Coke scored his fourth goal in the 78th minute, setting off a wild celebrations.

However, Trojans’ never-say-die approach shone through with Duante Woods coming off the bench to score a brace and Justin Corday grabbing the winner in the 89th minute.

“Duante definitely helped us with the great turnaround,” Seymour said. “He injected a little pace, tenacity and desire to bring us back playing in midfield.”

Trojans, the only team to win the Friendship Trophy four seasons in a row, moved level with PHC Zebras for the most wins (ten) in the competition after edging their perennial rivals 2-1 in last season’s final at Somerset Cricket Club.

Having seen off the threat of Boulevard, Somerset are expected to be bolstered for the next round by the return of forward Justin Donawa who is based overseas.

“The Christmas period is a chance for us to showcase our overseas players and this was what I expressed going into the match,” Seymour said.

“That’s what we want to offer our overseas players when they come back.

“We don’t want to get knocked out and these guys don’t have the opportunity to display their potential and talent when they come back.

“That was definitely a motivating factor to win the game, and hopefully we get some of our overseas players back for the next round.”

• Butterfield & Vallis, of the Corona League, take on First Division side Southampton Rangers in a FA Cup preliminary round replay at Goose Gosling Field tomorrow night at 9pm.

The two teams drew 1-1 when they met last month, with B & V United scoring 15 minutes from time to force the replay.