Boulevard 1 Dandy Town 1

This long-awaited Premier Division encounter pitting Boulevard Blazers against cross-town rivals Dandy Town Hornets failed to live up to expectations as it fizzled out to a tame draw at BAA Field on Saturday night.

Town appeared on their way towards their first league win since October 20 when the returning Reggie Tucker converted from close range in the 22nd minute.

However, the joy would be short-lived as Boulevard clawed their way back, drawing even 15 minutes later when Town ‘keeper Antione Lightbourne spilled a Melchisedec Gibbons' free-kick over the goal-line.

Both teams then had several chances to retake the lead, especially in the dying moments when Blazers' second -half substitute Ricky Saltus saw his firmly hit effort saved on the goal-line by Town skipper Lionel Furbert while at the other end Janeiro Tucker's usually potent shot eluded him as his hurried effort rolled harmlessly wide of goal.

The final result saw Boulevard move into third spot in the standings while Town went up to fourth place.

Young defender Randy Swan (suspension) and veteran speed merchant Carlos Smith were both absent from Town's line-up while midfielder Brendon O'Riordan had to assume an uncharacteristic role at right full-back. Player/coach Devarr Boyles also came in to the line-up to add some stability in the middle of the park while Blazers were without veteran defender Albert Caisey.

Chances for both teams during a mostly uneventful opening period were few and far between.

But it was Town who drew first blood. Marking his first appearance of the season, Tucker gave his loyal supporters an immediate sample of what they had been missing when he stroked the ball past ‘keeper Shejuan Swan from 12 yards.

However, with Boulevard's Gibbons and Shaki Crockwell causing concern down both flanks with their electrifying pace and veteran sparkplug Leonard Hypolite working tirelessly in midfield, it was only a matter of time before the home side levelled the scores.

Blazers were awarded a free kick deep in Town territory after Reggie Tucker had fouled Stevie Wade. Gibbons then quickly sent in a well-weighted cross which Lightbourne, sandwiched between Crockwell, Raymond Burgess and Wade, failed to collect cleanly and could only aid the ball across the line on a second desperate attempt.

The visitors then almost retook the lead moments before the break, but Reggie Tucker completely miskicked the ball from six yards out.

Shortly after the restart, Town's Sri Wilson had a blast from 15 yards that saw Swan pull off the save of the night. The Boulevard ‘keeper brilliantly dived to his right to take the sting out of Wilson's drive that had looked destined for goal.

Not to be outdone, Lightbourne pulled off an equally fine save at the other end to deny Gibbons who let fly from 25 yards with a crisp, low drive on target.

Boulevard must have thought they had the points in the bag when Saltus sent in a goalward-bound drive but Furbert was in the right place at the right time to make the crucial save.

Then Town had the match served to them on a platter when Janeiro Tucker found himself free with all the time and space in the world, but he scoffed his shot wide and the chance went begging.

Boulevard: S.Swan, L.Stevens, S.Wade (R.Saltus, 73 mins), T.Trott (T.Walker, 75 mins), R.Wilson, L.Hypolite, C.Trott, J.Samuels, M.Gibbons, S.Crockwell, R.Burgess (Jahmah Samuels, 67 mins).

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne, L.Furbert, M.Lowe, B.Oriordan, C.Azhar, G.Foggo, D.Boyles (K.Hurdle, 73 mins), K.Martin (W.Place, 52 mins), S.Wilson (K.Butterfield, 76 mins), R.Tucker, J.Tucker.

Booked: K.Butterfield (Dandy Town); L.Stevens, Jahmel Samuels, M.Gibbons (Boulevard).

Men of the match: L.Hypolite (Boulevard); R.Tucker (Dandy Town).

Referee: G.Simons.