Boulevard booked their place in the final of the Martonmere Cup after a second half strike by midfielder Ross Lambe served to extinguish North Village Red Devils' fire.

Lambe was anything but silent last night as he made the men of North Shore pay for their inadequacy up front, getting a little help along the way from Village defender Clifford Roberts.

Roberts was unfortunate to get in the way of a powerful shot from Lambe in the 50th minute and served to deflect the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, who initially appeared to have it covered.

Lambe had gained possession on the left side, midway through the opponent's half, and cut in before unleashing an effort that glanced off Roberts into goal, much to the chagrin of the Village faithful, but to the delight of all Blazers' fans.

The goal served to liven up a generally drab affair, which beyond the opening adrenalin rush offered little for the throng to cheer about.

It was during the opening minutes that Elliott Jennings created some excitement, rattling the Blazers' crossbar with a dipping 22-yard missile that had 'keeper Mitchell Steede thank his lucky stars in the second minute of play.

Right-back Wayne Augustus followed up in scaling a right-foot effort inches wide of the left upright after receiving a short free-kick from skipper Damon Wade deep on the right side.

Boulevard's first chance came off the boot of overlapping, left-back Albert Caisey as he thundered a drive into the Adams' midsection from 19 yards after being sprung by a Dwight Warren through-ball.

In the 23rd minute it was Warren taking matters into his own hands, but only finding the side-netting after Lambe and Wade had combined on the right side to create the opening.

The second half began with Damon Wade wasting a perfect chance for the equaliser in the 48th minute as he blasted well over the bar with only Steede to beat. That came after a defence splitting pass from Nakia Smith left the Boulevard defence in tatters.

Village would pay for the glaring error two minutes later as Boulevard reached their third consecutive Martonmere Cup final -- they won in 1993 before losing on penalties last year against Vasco.

Boulevard: M.Steede; A.Caisey, L.Stevens, D.Boyles, L.Hypolite; G.Smith, J.Samuels, D.Warren, R.Lambe; S.Wade, D.Gibbs (M.Smith 82 mins).

North Village: D.Adams; K.Grant, D.Bell, C.Roberts, W.Augustus; M.Hansey, S.Franks, D.Wade; E.Jennings, N.Smith, R.Wilson (K.Smith 23 mins).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the match: Leonard Hypolite (Boulevard); Clifford Roberts (North Village).

Leonard Hypolite