<Bz36>Workmanlike Boulevard knock St. David's aside
St. David’s 1
Boulevard Blazers 4
Although it was not a pretty performance, Premier Division leaders Boulevard Blazers did enough to take maximum points from last place St. David’s to continue their chase towards the league title in this match-up at Lord’s yesterday.
Two goals in each half saw the visitors through to victory but until centre-back Steven Brimmer slotted home the third goal after 60 minutes giving the Blazers a 3-1 lead at the time St. David’s were giving their opponents a run for their money.
Even after they took a comfortable two-goal lead after 26 minute, the Blazers were unable to over-run their opponents who clearly lacked finishing ability from the outset. And those two goals that were scored came from a grateful defence whose sloppiness enabled Conneko Trott and Chae Simmons to score.
There was an indication early that Blazers may have some difficulty when skipper and star goal scorer Shaki Crockwell appeared out of touch — unable to put finishing touches to several crosses from the right provided by Angelo Simmons.
There was relief in the Blazers’ camp when the St. David’s defence failed to make a quick clearance after a Simmons corner and Trott was in position to scramble the ball over the line.
Shortly afterwards, Chae Simmons’ stunning free kick from the left curled into goal as a dazed defence could only watch — most blaming team-mates for not covering and making the clearance.
Until then George O’Brien in the St. David’s goal had little to deal with in terms of shots from the Blazers forwards while Nathan Darrell in the Blazers’ goal was called on once when he had to dive to smother a blast from left fullback Aaron Luggo.
With Corey Garcia and Michael Douglas prominent down the left flank for St. David’s they remained competitive and the coach-less team may have been more threatening had they had a qualified leader on their bench to direct them on how to be more effective when it counted.
But the reward for their persistence did come after 33 minutes when Angelo Cannonier struck home a 15-yarder following a corner from the left by Douglas.
When play restarted midfielder Aaron Crockwell was in position to equalise for the home side but his poorly-hit shot was smothered by the fallen Darrell in the Blazers goal after 50 minutes.
However this wasn’t the sign of things to come for St. David’s because they somehow manage to fade and consequently rarely managed any enterprising moves going forward.
Brimmer eased Blazers’ nerves with his strike from a scramble and the goal proved to be the killer blow that virtually wrapped things up for the visitors with a 3-1 lead.
After 77 minutes O’Brien brilliantly palmed away a fierce free kick from 18 yards by John Payne to deny Blazers a fourth goal but the fourth goal was to come four minutes later when substitute Lamaul Crofton netted from a breakaway.
It was far from a convincing performance.
But while being satisfied to take maximum points, Blazers’ coaching staff have to be worried about their team being unable to display some of their sparkling early-season form.
Boulevard: N.Darrell; C.Matthewss, S.Brimmer, J.Samuels, J.Payne; K.Butterfield (R.Burgess, 78 min), C.Trott, C.Simmons; A.Simmons, S.Crockwell (T.Walker, 68 min), W.Place (L.Crofton, 68 min).
Booked: C.Trott (Boulevard).
>Men of the match: Corey Garcia/Michael Douglas (St. David’s); Angelo Simmons (Boulevard).
Referee: Lyndon Raynor
