Boulevard 3

Young Men's Social Club 1

Boulevard left it late against Young Men's Social Club to advance to the semi-finals of the FA Cup at BAA Field yesterday.

Blazers, who had Conneko Trott sent off for using offensive language, were always in the driver's seat but made the game look closer than it really should have been.

The first real chance of the match went the way of Social Club in the early minutes, Sherwin Jennings putting his header wide with the goal at his mercy.

But from this point on, the game went the way of Blazers as they put their stamp on the match.

The opening goal came from in-form Boulevard midfielder Melchisedec Gibbons in the 18th minute.

Gibbons, who has been carrying his team-mates of late and scoring crucial goals since returning from suspension, latched onto a lobbed through ball over the Bluebirds' defence.

And with a clear run at goal, he thumped the ball into the net from some 25 yards out.

But the onslaught that the Boulevard faithful expected never materialised as that goal only served to put their team into cruise control.

A great save from Bluebirds goalkeeper Tiko Hassell denied Blazers' winger Takehyi Walker doubling the Premier side's advantage.

The game was then turned on its head when Trott was sent off by referee Richard Knights.

Trott was shown a red card for using offensive language towards Knights after he believed he had been fouled but the call wasn't given.

This would change how Social Club approached the second half, as they made half-time substitutes and went searching for an equaliser.

And they did not disappoint, capitalising on their numerical advantage via a 62nd-minute Quincy Paynter leveller.

Paynter latched onto a cross at the top of the 18-yard box and let fly with a shot, only to have it blocked and fall back into his path. Not panicking in the moment, he regathered himself and put his second opportunity low into the the Blazers net to square the match.

Both sides made changes as a replay now looked inevitable with time winding down.

But Boulevard sub Ian Coke put the favourites back on top with a poacher's finish in the 84th minute.

Walker, twisting and turning defenders just outside the Social Club penalty area, provided the opportunity.

A well driven ball along the ground caused all sorts of problems for the defenders and Coke came sliding into the area to push the ball home.

Walker then put his name on the scoresheet two minutes later with a well-timed run into the box and converted the easiest of opportunites to put the icing on the cake.

Boulevard can now look forward to their second successive FA Cup semi-final.

Boulevard: S.Swan, C Mathews, Jahmarley Samuels, Jahmah Samuels, Jahmary Samuels, R.Burgess (I.Coke), M.Gibbons, W.Place, C.Trott, A.Simmons (C.Simmons), T.Walker

Young Men's Social Club: T.Hassell, M.Smith, A.Samuels, G.Augustus, J.Bolin, P.Puckerin (H.Matthews), N.Simons, Q.Paynter, Q.Jones (C.Darrell), S.Jennings

Referee: R.Knights

Yellow card: C.Darrell (YMSC)

Red card: C.Trott (Boulevard)

Man of the match: M.Gibbons (Boulevard)