Those were the bold words uttered by Boulevard's veteran defender Leroy Stevens as he and his team-mates prepare for this weekend's crucial match-up against the Green Knights to decide the First Division championship.

"As long as we go out there, play our game and do what we have to and not relax and take them for nothing it's (championship) ours,'' added Stevens, a long-time anchor in the Blazers' back four.

Stevens was speaking less than 24 hours after Boulevard had pounded then league leaders Somerset 2-0 to move into first place, level on points with defending champions Dandy Town, but having a one-goal advantage in goal differential.

A comfortable win this weekend should guarantee the Blazers their second league title -- they won their first after the 1990-91 season -- as long as Town does not enjoy an unexpected goal feast against PHC.

Anything less and they can kiss the title good-bye, as it would allow any of three teams -- Town, Somerset and North Village -- in with a shot.

Sunday presented double cause for celebration for Stevens in particular, as the victory came on the occasion of his 29th birthday.

The result also brought relief, as on two other occasions this year Boulevard had faltered when poised to move to the top of the standings -- against Vasco and North Village -- but not this time.

"We let opportunities slip against Vasco and Village and we could not let it slip away,'' said Stevens, whose side completely dominated a young Somerset outfit. "Now we're treating every game like an FA Cup final.

"Our plan was to clamp down on their front-runners, forcing them to play out of the back. They don't normally build from the back, but use a lot of long balls, so we just tightened it up on their strikers so they couldn't do it.

"I thought we went out and played our game of possession, keeping the ball away and creating a lot through our midfield and it worked for us.'' Still, Stevens conceded that overall the season has been somewhat of a disappointment.

The trophy cabinet is bare, having been knocked out of all the cup competitions and injuries at one point left the back of town club barely able to field 11 players.

Many had written off the side as being past its peak and in serious need of rebuilding.

The Blazers were like a used tire ...old, worn and unravelling.

Nevertheless, quietly, but with assured confidence, the Blazers proved that there remained life, using the likes of seasoned veterans Wayne Richardson, Dean Boyles, Albert Caisey and skipper Dwight Warren along with Stevens to claw their way back from the depths. These days they are in a position where everyone now stands underneath and looking up at them once again.

They are also regaining some of the respect lost in a period of decline.

"True, look at us, we've had a bad run most of the year. I admit we would have liked to have been in a few cup competitions, (but) we make no excuses,'' said Stevens, a member of the title winning team of 1991.

"People can say what they want. Soccer's a thing where when you're up they like you, when you're down they don't. We (want) to silence the critics.'' Sunday shall provide one such opportunity.