Boulevard 3, Somerset Eagles 0 Neither linesman showed up for this game, and on the evidence of a lacklustre and goalless first half, theirs seemed like a wise choice.

Boulevard Blazers had throughout looked likelier to draw than score, continuing an indifferent streak which has lasted most of the season for the East End draw specialists.

Indeed, the first half would best be forgotten by both teams. Somerset's contribution to the dull proceedings was the use of their by now-traditional offside trap, often marching all the way to the half-way line to limit Boulevard's chances of progressing upfield.

But the second half was more exciting, and Boulevard's pressure paid off as early as the 54th minute, when Dean Boyles was tripped on the left-hand side of the penalty box and stepped up to stroke the ball coolly into the bottom right-hand corner of the net, to give his team a 1-0 lead.

With Somerset never likely to score, the Blazers' draw sequence now looked to be under serious threat, and with the Eagles' Rodre Wilson sent off for foul language (something of a Somerset theme all afternoon) before the game could restart, the only lingering question was how many goals Boulevard would rack up before the final whistle.

Shortly afterwards, Gary Mallory came on for the Eagles, looking none the worse for wear for his near-death experience two weeks ago.

Playing with 10 men, Somerset looked neither better nor worse, which is testimony to their complete lack of footballing ideas. The smell of relegation is all about them, and on this showing, one wonders if they will do much better in the Second Division.

So bereft of attack were they that, mid-way through the second half, when Warren Iris took the team's first direct shot on goal of the day, from 25 yards out, the rest of his team applauded him as if he'd scored the match winner. His effort went well over the bar.

At the other end, Boulevard's Dwight Warren, by a mile the outstanding player on the day, was making hay, trapping the ball, jinking past defenders and generally displaying a complete range of skills.

His efforts were rewarded in the 71st minute of the game when he broke loose on the left, ran straight at the goalkeeper, beat him, and slid the ball away for Boulevard's second.

To their credit, Somerset never stopped trying, but a man short and a yard slow, they rarely looked threatening.

With five minutes left, Boulevard's Norrell Hull found himself loitering at the far post as the ball was crossed into the Somerset goalmouth from the right.

A quick tap, the ball was in the back of the net, and Boulevard had three goals to match their three points.

Somerset : C.Gilbert, O. Riley, W. Wellman, C. Williams, D. Durrant, W. Iris, E. Callender, S. Burrows (T. Smith, 67 mins), D. Minors (K. Issac, 84 mins), S. Dill (G. Mallory, 58 mins), R. Wilson Boulevard : M. Steede, L. Stevens, M. Trott, D. Boyles, V. Eve, L. Hypolite, M. Holdipp, J. Samuels, R. Lambe (N. Hull, 30 mins), D. Warren, D. Gibbs (C.

Rogers, 32 mins, G. Smith 61 mins) Men of the Match : Oscar Riley (Somerset), Dwight Warren (Boulevard) Referee : Richard Knights.