Boulevard 1 Som. Trojans 0

For more than 60 minutes yesterday Boulevard Blazers and Somerset Trojans threatened to produce another of those frustrating "all work but no reward" matches.

Unfortunately for Trojans that was indeed how the Premier Division clash would end but, in the 66th minute, a clinical finish from substitute Ricky Saltus ensured Boulevard would leave BAA Field with their heads high instead of hanging.

He had been on the field just nine minutes when he appeared at the far post to complete a move instigated by his captain Shaki Crockwell with one of his many crosses from the right side. For almost the entire match Crockwell and Raymond Burgess combined to terrorise the Trojans' goal but somehow lacked the knockout punch with shots either flying wide of the mark or being snuffed out by the opposition at the last minute.

Just when it seemed their efforts might be in vain again - with Burgess pushing Crockwell's pass wide of both Trojans' diving goalie, Timmy Figureido, and the far post - Saltus arrived to apply the decisive touch and secure a 1-0 victory.

Thereafter, a match that was evenly contested up to that point gradually slipped further and further from the Trojans' grasp. The losers had only themselves to blame for they, like Trojans, squandered a plethora of opportunities. Topping their misses was a penalty taken by an unconvincing Karl Roberts about half an hour into the game. The high fives and back slaps which Rohan Simons - who was felled in the area - and his team-mates exchanged as the penalty was awarded proved premature as Roberts lofted the ball over the crossbar.

It was just not the West End side's day as even in the match's dying seconds substitute Curtis Grant clumsily knocked a shot over the net from close range with only Boulevard's custodian Shejuan Swan to beat.

Despite the lone breach in defence, the 90-minute encounter was absorbing, end-to-end action with both teams battling well in midfield but lacking effective touches in their attempts on goal.

Even in celebration, Boulevard's assistant coach Vernon Symonds acknowledged such deficiencies, noting "we could have been better but we'll take it".

His team, he said, are "getting back in groove" and are looking "to survive and win some silverware this season".

Boulevard Blazers: S.Swan, L.Stevens, T.Trott, R.Wilson, J.Payne, C.Trott, Jahmah Samuels (Jamel Samuels, 76 mins), F.El Karfa (S.Wade, 62 mins), S.Crockwell, R.Burgess, M.Parson (R.Saltus, 57 mins).

Somerset Trojans: T.Figureido, A.Rahman, D.Francis (A.Webb, 84 mins), K.Roberts, G.Ray, T.Davis, D.Stovell (D.Ming, 74 mins), D.Lawler, R.Simons, D.Basden (C.Grant, 74 mins), S.Riley.

Booked: L.Stevens, S.Wade (Boulevard); R.Simons (Somerset).

Men of the Match: S.Crockwell (Boulevard); R.Simons (Somerset).

Referee: Stephen Crockwell.