Boulevard 1 North Village 0 When it comes to scoring crucial goals nobody seems to do it better than Shaki Crockwell.

Well known for his clinical finishing, the speedy Blazers skipper delivered the blow that killed off defending champions Village in this Friendship Trophy clash at Devonshire Rec. yesterday — and what a beauty it was.

Crockwell struck against the run of play, sending home a long-range, dipping shot from 30 yards after just seven minutes that caught a stunned Jason Williams off his line as the ball suddenly dipped under the bar and into the net much to the delight of the Blazers players, bench and fans.

However, such excitement wasn’t a sign of things to come as play, while highlighted by some impressive build-up by both teams, repeatedly petered out as it reached the penalty box.

Village, in particular, had to be disappointed that they didn’t get off enough shots when it mattered while Boulevard, although creating more penetrating moves in the second half, never took full advantage.

Neither side will have fulfilled the expectations of their supporters who came out to watch what had been billed as the game of the day.

Despite falling behind early on, Village’s persistence down the flanks — where Tyrell Burgess on the right and David Hunt on the left caused some nervous moments among the opposing defence — seemed destined to provide an equaliser but time and again the two wingers failed to direct their crosses into the path of eagerly awaiting team-mates in the middle.

After 15 minutes Burgess sent a shot just wide of the near post while midfielder Nakia Smith followed up and forced Michael Higgs in the Blazers goal to turn his effort around the post.

In a game in which play sea-sawed from end to the other, left full back Stanton Lewis, giving another solid display, headed a Melchisedec Gibbons corner which goalkeeper Williams fell to his knees to save after 17 minutes.

After half-time it was Blazers who took the game to their opponents with hard-working midfielder Conneko Trott firing a fierce drive inches over from 20 yards and forward Raymond Burgess doing likewise from 16 yards, both shots coming within five minutes of the kick-off.

After 58 minutes, Crockwell also blazed over, steering his free kick from 26 yards high of the mark.

Village, looking jaded and unable to display any of the first-half momentum which saw them match Boulevard in all phases of the contest, came into their own after 60 minutes with skipper Ralph Bean sending in a scorcher from 25 yards that forced Higgs into a diving save.

However, with Trott and Gibbons prominent in the middle for Boulevard, the trophy holders were unable to find any real rhythm and their chances of finding an equaliser slowly faded.

In contrast Blazers forwards Crockwell and Angelo Simmons continued to be a menace, stretching the Village defence on a number of quick counter attacks.

Boulevard: <$>M.Higgs, C.Matthews, J.Samuels, J.Warren, S.Lewis, C.Trott, M.Gibbons, K.Butterfield, C.Matthews, A.Simmons, R.Burgess (J.Payne, 62 mins). Subs not used: C.Hayward, D.Taylor, T.Walker, R.Sus.

North Village:<$> J.Williams, J.Boyles (M.Crane, 82 mins), D.Simmons, T.Outerbridge, L.Alexander, N.Smith, R.Bean, D.Hunt (M.Dill, 75 mins), T.Jennings, K.Bean, T.Burgess (K.Dill, 52 mins). Subs not used: D.Adams, J.Simmons.

Yellow cards: K.Butterfield, S.Crockwell (Boulevard); T.Outeidge, K.Bean (Village).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.

Men of the match: Conneko Trott (Boulevard); Daz Simmons (Village).