Premier Division pacesetters Boulevard can further distance themselves from the rest of the pack with victory tonight on the road against nearest rivals Somerset Trojans.

Blazers travel to Somerset Cricket Club to take on Dennis Brown’s Trojans knowing that victory would give them a six-point cushion heading into the second half of the 2006-2007 season.

“For us this is one of the biggest games of the season. This match is for the final three points of the first half of the season which we are looking to secure,” commented Blazers skipper and leading goalscorer Shaki Crockwell.

The two teams were originally scheduled to lock horns on November 4 at Somerset. However, referee Lyndon Raynor postponed the match after Blazers’ red jerseys clashed with those of Trojans who refused to suit up in an alternative strip.

Both clubs were eventually fined $500 by Bermuda Football Association for their actions.

Blazers and Trojans are both coming off inspiring wins over North Village and Devonshire Cougars respectively in their previous outings.

“We are very optimistic and looking forward to settling a score with Somerset who beat us in the Martonmere Cup,” Crockwell continued.

Trojans edged Blazers 1-0 on October 17 at the Den to advance to a second straight Martonmere Cup semi-final.

However, in league play Boulevard are the only team in the Premier Division yet to taste to defeat this campaign.

“We’ve beat everybody else and so basically this is the only remaining team we have to try and beat,” Crockwell said. “We’re taking every game one game at a time and this is what we have been waiting for. And it really doesn’t matter where we play them.

“But we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves because the job is not done yet.”

Since returning to top flight football in 2002-03, Blazers have struggled to find any semblance of consistency. But following an influx of youth, a number of experienced players on hand and a coach (John Rebello) who knows a thing or two about winning, they seem to have finally turned the corner.

So what has been the team’s motivation?

“Hard work and dedication and harmony within the team,” Crockwell replied. “We have love for each other on and off the field and everybody plays for each other. We’ve always had the talent, heart and the love. But we never realised we have to play as a whole in order to win.

“Everybody was looking for individual glory last year. But now it’s all about the team.”

Blazers last won a Premier Division championship in 1994-95 under then player/coach Andrew Bascome.

Crockwell, meanwhile, has been putting in additional hours trying to perfect his game. And it is this perseverance which has earned the Blazers skipper a call to national team duty.

“I’ve just been putting in a bit of extra work and doing what I have to do for the team,” he added. “I have a lot of responsibilities on my shoulder, and so it’s important I put in the hard work in order to lead by example.

“I understand a lot is riding on my shoulders, but I also have ten other players around to assist me.”

Tonight’s Blazers/Trojans showdown will be preceded by a First Division contest involving Somerset Eagles and St.George’s Colts.