Boulevard 2

Somerset Trojans 3Dion Stovell netted a spectacular brace that propelled cup giants Somerset Trojans through to a 12th Friendship Trophy final and brought the West Ender’s perennial cup semi-final jinx at the Den to an end last night.

After Boulevard had bravely battled their way back from a two-goal deficit, Stovell scored the decisive goal in dramatic fashion in the 90th minute to send Trojans through to a first Friendship Trophy final since 1994-95 — the club’s second successive cup final this season.

It was goal that would’ve featured on any highlight reel, in a match worthy of the final itself.

“The plan tonight was to get a good start, and I thought we made a good account of ourselves in the beginning,” stated an elated Trojans’ coach Dennis Brown after one of the most riveting matches witnessed this season.

“But I thought we had a mental lapse right before the half when we gave away a goal.”

Trojans rocked Blazers back on their heels by storming out to a 2-0 first-half lead. During a raid down Boulevard’s right side, an unmarked Stovell was given enough time and space to control the ball on his chest and thigh before thundering it past a dazed Michael Higgs from all of 25 yards.

Higg’s nightmare then turned from bad to worse when he committed the offence that lead to Trojans doubling their lead.

Under pressure from an attacker, Blazers’ defender Jahmah Samuels’ intended back pass was handled by the ‘keeper, leaving referee Leroy Wilson no option but to award an indirect free kick.

With numbers in the box, Adolphus Lambert somehow managed to squeeze his shot through a phalanx of legs, and into goal to give Trojans a two-goal cushion.

But with half-time beckoning, Blazers struck a crucial blow to claw their way back into contention as Trojans paid the price for complacency at the rear.

Allowed to roam freely in the box, Angelo Simmons turned sharply and slammed the ball past a flat-footed Adrian Burrows.

The goal clearly lifted Blazers’ spirits and for most of the second half they seemed to be more determined and organised as they pinned Trojans down for long spells in search of the crucial equaliser.

But nobody, not even Blazers, could’ve imagined how the equaliser would eventually arrive — handed to them virtually on a silver platter.

An innocuous ball played in the box was fumbled by Burrows and Sean Simmons’ hastily attempted clearance ricochet off of team-mate Darin Minors, and into goal.

Both teams had chances heading down the final stretch, but lacked the penetration to execute.

And just when it appeared extra time would be required to separate the two teams, Stovell scored the second of his two gems to send Trojans’ fans into utopia.

“Dion is one of the special players in this country. And tonight he showed real class with both of his goals,” Brown said of his gifted striker.

“Mentally I thought we hung tough, and in the end we were able to win the match although Boulevard played with a lot of heart and determination.”

Boulevard: M.Higgs, J.Payne, J.Samuels, J.Warren, C.Matthews, A.Simmons, C.Simmons (capt), C.Trott, L.Crofton, D.Warren (S.Crockwell, 37 mins, D.Darrell, 70 mins), W.Pla

Somerset<$>: A.Burrows, M.Butterfield, S.Simmons, D.Minors, J.Tucker, S.Riley, J.Scott (capt), D.Swan (M.Wade, 62 mins), A.Lambert, D.Stovell, D.Basden (C.Moulder, 60 mins).

Yellow cs<$>: J.Samuels, A.Simmons (Boulevard); D.Minors, J.Tucker, J.Scott, A.Lambert (Somerset)

Men of the ch<$>: A.Simmons (Boulevard); D.Stovell (Somerset)

Referee: Leroy Wilson.

|0x95|In the night’s opening First Division Shield semi-final, an Aljame Zuill hat-trick and a sole Clevon Hill strike gave Devonshire Colts a convincing 4-0 win over Ireland Rangers.