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Blazers set sights on Rangers

First Division Shield action takes place tonight at BAA Field where Boulevard Blazers will finally begin their campaign against Ireland Rangers.

Boulevard are the division's sole remaining undefeated team and coach John Rebello and his supporting cast must surely by now have their sights set on accomplishing the shield and league double.

But first they will have to contend with an unpredictable Ireland Rangers outfit, that on any given day can rise to the occasion.

Both teams are coming off convincing wins on Sunday - Boulevard disposed of a Paget side 3-1, while Ireland Rangers comfortably got by Social Club 3-0.

Coach Rebello, who was generally satisfied by his team's most recent performance, was still concerned by the number of chances his team squandered.

“ We totally dominated (Sunday's) game from the outset, in terms of possession but then struggled to come out of the match with 3-1 victory,” said the coach. “ It's great to play possession, but the result at the end of the match is what really matters.

“You can dominate a game for 80 to 90 minutes, however, if you don't get any goals then you may lose the match or walk away with just a point.”

Rebello said he had to guard his players against complacency.

“Although I know that my players have the ability, I feel sometimes that when we come up against the lesser opposition we tend to become a bit complacent, so that's one thing that I, as the coach, have to keep hammering home.

“Despite failing miserably in the attacking third of the pitch during our last outing, I am still confident we will rectify the situation in time for tomorrow's match.”

Boulevard, who were minus some of their stalwarts for the match against Paget, namely Shaki Crockwell and Raymond Burgess - included some of their up and coming youngsters in the squad. The coach was pleased with the manner in which they performed, adding that he was not yet quite sure when his absentees would return back to the fold.

“The youngsters came into the team and held their own. They did a commendable service to the team,” he said.

Rebello said he would be giving Rangers due respect tonight.

“We are undefeated, so we know that they will be gunning after us and we won't be taking them lightly,” he said.

The contest between the two First Division rivals at 9 p.m. will be preceded by a Women's Konica Cup match between Prospect and Rude Girls at 7 p.m.