Boulevard struck twice in the space of six minutes early in the second half and then put the issue beyond the reach of determined Devonshire Colts with a late penalty by Wayne Richardson at St. David's yesterday.

When the first half ended Colts' spirited performance suggested they would be good for at least a share of the points.

But Boulevard raised their game a couple of notches after the restart to keep their opponents at arm's reach.

Boulevard had the game's first chance as early as the third minute when Neil Robinson put a low shot past the far post after the Colts defence was caught cold.

Despite missing the likes of Craig Smith, Harrison Trott and Anthony Wilson, Colts showed plenty of enthusiasm as the speed of their front players, Keishon Smith, captain Ellington Weldon and Quincey Aberdeen, caused some anxious moments for the Boulevard defence, which contained three players with national team experience.

Left-back Vernon Eve allowed a pass to get past him for Smith to gain possession and get off a shot just as Richardson was covering. The effort went past the far post.

Colts had a setback when full-back Keenan Burchall limped off in the 39th minute to be replaced by Germaine Burt after earlier taking a knock. The visitors had a late surge with some smart moves, but the finishing touch was missing.

The introduction of Shivaughn Smith for Kenneth Darrell at the start of the second half sparked Boulevard's resurgence and it was not a surprise when they broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.

The goal came when a pass from the right beat Warren at the far post but he recovered quickly and laid the ball into the middle for Smith who threaded it through the Colts defence for striker Hill to turn, take a few steps into the penalty box and slide the ball first time past the advancing Antoine Lightbourne.

The sleeping giant was awake and after Lightbourne's quick reflexes denied Stevie Wade, he was beaten again in the 61st minute when full-backs Albert Caisey, in his first game of the season, and Eve combined for the second goal.

Caisey supplied the pass from the right, it reached the supporting Eve on the far side and his second touch was a scorching left-foot shot that screamed past Lightbourne and into the roof of the net.

A fiercely-struck Wade shot from 25 yards was tipped over the bar by Lightbourne before Hill steered a header onto the crossbar. Colts were rewarded for their determination in the 70th minute when midfielder Vic Ball chipped the ball over the Boulevard wall on the right side of the penalty area with the outside of his boot, and the ball went inside the near post before the out of position Steede could reach it.

But Colts' hopes of stealing a point were soon dashed by the penalty in the 87th minute. Wade earned it when his intended cross struck the hand of Derek Wright. Referee Cal Simons pointed to the spot and Richardson confidently placed his spot-kick firmly to Lightbourne's left to make it three straight wins.

Both Mark Ray and Weldon went close for Colts after that before Wade missed a chance in injury time for Boulevard.

Boulevard: M.Steede; A.Caisey, W.Richardson, L.Stevens, V.Eve; S.Wade, K.Darrell (S.Smith, 45 mins), D.Warren, N.Robinson, V.Symonds (A.Brown, 80 mins), K.Hill.

Devonshire Colts: A.Lightbourne; K.Burchall (G.Burt, 39 mins), D.Wright, J.Samuels, L.Hypolite, D.Williams, M.Ray, V.Ball, Q.Aberdeen, E.Weldon, K.Smith (P.Webb, 77 mins).

Colts).

Referee: Cal Simons.

Men of the match: Neil Robinson (Boulevard); Quincey Aberdeen (Devonshire Colts).