History has a funny way of repeating itself.After leading the Premier Division standings at the halfway stage of the 2005-06 season, Somerset Trojans’ bid for an unprecedented tenth league championship went up in smoke.

One year later Boulevard find themselves in the same predicament as Trojans, with defending champions North Village and Devonshire Cougars and the boys from the West End all breathing down their neck and threatening to close the gap at the top this weekend.

Blazers and Trojans are set to do battle tonight for the fifth time this season at BAA Field in a match neither can afford to lose.

Boulevard have some walking wounded with team skipper Shaki Crockwell nursing an ankle injury and key defender Stanton Lewis’ knee injury turning out to be more serious than previously thought. And only earlier this week inspirational midfielder Melchisedec Gibbons was slapped with a one year ban for spitting on referee Anthony Francis during Blazers’ Dudley Eve loser’s semi-final clash with Trojans.

After collecting 19 out of a maximum 22 league points in the first half of the season, Blazers have dropped four crucial points in their last two outings which has allowed their pursuers to gain ground.

Trojans, meanwhile, have sat idle since their convincing January 14 win over celler-dwellers Paget at White Hill Field.

In the four meetings between the two clubs so far this season, each has managed two wins — Trojans getting the better of Blazers on December 30 to advance to a first Dudley Eve final in 12 years.

Somerset also have a game in hand over Boulevard.

Turning to tomorrow, Village welcome Dandy Town to Bernard Park in a match they must win in order to keep pace with the lead pack.

On the flip side of the coin, Town will have to get some momentum going if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle heading down the final stretch of the season.

Devonshire Cougars can also claw their way back into league contention with victory over Paget at White Hill Field, while PHC tackle St.David’s at Southampton Oval.

In First Division action, the four-horse race for promotion should continue to heat up.

League leaders Ireland Rangers should find easy pickings against Hamilton Parish at Malabar, Devonshire Colts take on unpredictable X Roads at Police Field, while Southampton Rangers host Social Club at Southampton Oval and Wolves are away to Prospect United at Police Field.