North Village 3 Boulevard 2

While it was far from a vintage performance, North Village did just enough yesterday to brush off a spirited late challenge from Boulevard to become the first team to capture a place in this season's Martonmere Cup semi-finals.

A large crowd at BAA field saw favourites Village take a decisive 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes and ultimately hold on for a slim victory.

Scoring for the winners were Keeshan Bean and Ralph Bean while an own goal by Tauriano Trott helped Village's cause. Boulevard's goals came from a Shaki Crockwell penalty and an own goal by Michael Hansey.

Despite coming away victorious, Village coach Scott Morton and the team's fans could not have been pleased with the overall performance. Few would deny that Boulevard, playing with greater intensity for longer periods, should have come away with at least a draw.

The edge during the first eight minutes went to Boulevard who looked more settled from the kick-off. The closest they came to scoring in that spell was when centre-back Leroy Stevens powered a Melchesedec Gibbons cross over goal with his header.

But just when it looked as though Boulevard would take a firm grip on the match, Village struck a surprise goal. Boulevard goalkeeper Shejuan Swan was at fault as he allowed young right winger Keeshan Bean to fire home from an angle 14 yards out on the right.

That goal lifted Village and they came alive with more positive moves in their approach, taking a 2-0 lead six minutes later when Hansey's cross from the right was smartly headed home by Ralph Bean.

Those two goals knocked the wind out of Boulevard as their defence begun to look shaky but astonishingly Village weren't able to take advantage.

After a long, uninspiring period of play, Boulevard pulled a goal back after 35 minutes when centre-back Kimandi Binns fouled Shaki Crockwell who slotted home his re-taken penalty kick after goalkeeper Zane Hendrickson had moved while blocking the first with his legs.

For 15 minutes immediately after the interval, Boulevard swarmed all over their opponents, mounting a series of attacks and it looked as though their persistence would pay off.

Michael Parsons had three attempts on goal that narrowly missed the target while Gibbons tore open holes down the left flank with tormenting runs at the defence, feeding Raymond Burgess and Parsons in the middle.

But rather than Boulevard get back on level terms, it was Village who grabbed a 3-1 lead after 63 minutes when Tauriano Trott netted an own goal during a counter attack.

Seven minutes later Boulevard were back in the hunt as Hansey also netted an own goal to pull them within one once again.

But with the score 3-2 neither team were able to take a decisive edge for the remainder of the game although Kaiwon Dill of Village and Raymond Burgess of Boulevard directed shots straight at the respective `keepers.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; D.Thomas, K.Binns, K.Dill, L.Alexander (T.Outerbridge, 45 mins; K. Jennings, 51 mins); J.Jennings (J.Boyles, 65 mins), M.Hansey, D.Warren; R.Bean, K.Dill, K.Bean.

Subs not used - D.Johnson, J.Davis.

Booked - D.Thomas, K.Dill.

Boulevard: S.Swan; R.Wilson (D.Cox, 68 mins), S.Lewis, L.Stevens, T.Trott; T.Davis, C.Simmons, M.Parsons (F. El Karfa, 68 mins); S.Crockwell (D.Samuels, 85 mins), R.Burgess, M.Gibbons.

Subs not used - H.Boukhlouf.

Booked - C.Simmons.

Men of the match: D.Warren (Village); M.Gibbons (Boulevard).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.