Boulevard 2

Southampton Rangers 1

The combination of Ajani and Mel Gibbons secured Boulevard's first win of the season as they fought back against Southampton Rangers at St. John's Field.

The Gibbon's duo struck in the 60th and 78th minute to ensure the title favourites rebounded from their opening week setback to Dandy Town.

"I'm proud of the result, we had a lot of chances and kept them to their limited chances and in general it was a great improvement," said skipper Mel Gibbons. "Coming from 1-0 down is a testament of character, we know that we didn't gel too well in the first half but we put it together and came back strong in the second."

And gel they did after a first half that they will want to forget.

It took the visitors all of five minutes to announce their intentions in the match when Morricko Iris was found free in the penalty area and put his side up inside the first five minutes.

The match seemed longing for someone to come on and snatch victory and Blazers coach Andrew Bascombe made it happen when he bought on Chae Simmons on for Angelo Simmons to shuffle things around.

Simmons bought the spark his side where lacking and it was no surprise that Ajani Gibbons hammered home the equaliser to level matters in the 60th minute from a free kick that Rangers goalkeeper Akale Bean had no chance of saving.

With the hosts slowly turning the screws for the final 20 minutes, it was captain fantastic, Mel Gibbons, who stepped up and struck the telling blow in the 78th minute.

While Rangers went looking for the winner that would put them also back on track, they were left empty at the back for Blazers to attack down the right and produce a ball to the top of the 18-yard box for Gibbons to slam home to ensure all three points.

After a win that saw their league title charge get back on track, skipper Gibbons admitted his side still haven't hit their stride.

"It was a good turn around from our performance in the Dudley Eve when we played but didn't win so we will enjoy this," continued Gibbons.

"It was a hard-fought match against Rangers, we came back to get the three points and that's the main thing right now.

"We will look to continue off this performance.

"The game against Town we came out flat for whatever reasons, and we weren't really prepared, PHC we improved a bit and then when you look at today it all came together late on with the team doing their respective jobs.

"I'm grateful for this win."

Boulevard: R.Broadbelt, A.Gibbons, M.Parsons, N. Smith, A.Nelson,N. Smith(K.Bean,63), D. Bascombe,T.Walker, A.Simmons(C.Simmons, 68), M.Gibbons,Q.Maynard

Subs not used:Clamens,Burrows,Williams, Stovell,J.Crockwell

Scorers: A.Gibbons, 60, M.Gibbons ,78

Southampton: A.Bean, J.Hill,M. Williams, J.Charles, K.Tucker, T.Brown(T.Flood,78), K.Smith, D.Russell, J.Dill, M.Iris, K.Symonds (R.Brunson, 46)

Subs not used: J.Smith, M. Albuoy

Referee: S. Allen

Scorers M.Iris, 5