North Village 1

Boulevard 1

North Village got out of jail for the second week running with a lacklustre display against an exciting and energetic Boulevard side in the 1-1 draw at Bernard Park yesterday.

Last year's league runners-up snatched a fortuitous point from the PHC Zebras at Southampton Oval last weekend and were lucky to come away with a share of the spoils on this occasion against the Blazers, who missed a penalty, hit the bar and then spurned a gilt-edged chance at the end.

Despite missing key players Ralph Bean and Jameiko Jennings, Village looked a shadow of the team which started the season so explosively, blasting six goals in their first two games to register victories over main title rivals Devonshire Cougars and division new boys Ireland Rangers.

Village head coach Elliott Jennings admitted he was lost for words afterwards.

"It beats me why we did so badly - it was awful," he said. "But at the end of the day it is about us and for me it is not about winning or losing, but just about doing the right thing out there.

"The players obviously pick the games where they want to play well."

Boulevard's assistant coach Troy Smith found it hard to hide his disappointment, claiming it was a case of two points dropped rather than one point gained considering the opportunities they created and possession they dominated, but vowed his side will keep going until the end with the title still very much up for grabs.

"We went for the win - we had to win," he said. "It is the second week in a row we have had teams on the ropes after beating Ireland Rangers 5-1. We had chances to put the game to bed, but what hurt us was giving up an early goal in the second half to them. We go for everything and will we continue to do so."

Boulevard started the game on fire, but wasted the first real chance when Wolde Place was hauled down by Village's keeper Jason Williams inside the box, only for Williams to save the resultant penalty from Chae Simmons.

But they made amends halfway through the first period after Angelo Simmons, Place and Takeyhi played a wonderful three-man move, and the ball deflected in off a Village defender to open the scoring.

Strong words were said by Jennings in the Village dressing room at half-time and the hosts came out fired up to grab an immediate equaliser when Nakia Smith was clattered by the Boulevard number one Shejuan Swan in the area, with penalty taker Devaun DeGraff placing the ball perfectly in the top right hand corner with the keeper rooted to the spot.

With the clock ticking down, Chae Simmons smacked the crossbar with a speculative shot, before substitute Reiko Trott saw his last-gasp effort saved by Williams in the Village goal.

North Village: J.Williams, R.Wilson, R.Spence (M.Dill 71mins, J.Dill 84), Kofi Dill, D.Edwards, J.Boyles, Kijuan Dill (M.Piper 28), V.Tankard, K.Jennings, D.DeGraff, N.Smith.

Boulevard: S.Swan, C.Matthews (K.Butterfield 69), Jahman Samuels, S.Worrell, Jahmari Samuels, T.Walker, C.Simmons, N.Smith (D.Taylor 85), A.Simmons, I.Coke (R.Trott 78), W.Place.

Referee: G.O'Brien.

Men of the match: D.DeGraff (North Village), A.Simmons (Boulevard).