Boulevard coach John Rebello will give some of his Blazers rookies a chance to impress in tonight's must-win Martonmere Cup tie against Somerset Trojans.

Only victory will secure Blazers a semi-final spot, with Trojans possessing a superior goal difference, but Rebello reckons it is more beneficial to rest tired limbs and hand his youngsters a run-out.

Rebello is under no illusions of the task ahead this season and knows his young fringe players have a part to play in keeping heads above water while Blazers await the return of key men.

"This is a back-to-back game for us and it gives me a chance to rest a few guys and showcase a few of our youngsters," said Rebello. "We've a talented bunch waiting for their chance and I think they deserve it.

"We've a relatively small squad at the moment so it makes sense to give the young guys experience as we wait for senior players to return. In terms of the competition it's a must-win game, but we have to look at the bigger picture.

"These are the guys who will be needed to pull us through and fill the void left by those senior players currently absent."

Blazers have found themselves on the receiving end of a couple of hefty scorelines that have not entirely reflected the way they have played.

And with inspirational playmaker Melchisedec Gibbons and veteran fullback Stanton Lewis set to return in the New Year, Rebello knows sunnier climes are ahead.

"Everyone knows it's been a difficult start to the season for us," said Rebello in reference to the death of former captain Shaki Crockwell. "But I'm proud of the way we have played and thought we've competed.

"Football is a cruel game and you don't always get what you deserve, and we have to learn to play for 90 minutes. I don't think the scorelines against Cougars nor Dandy Town have reflected the full picture and we've been competitive — but that's football."

"Whatever fight we're fighting come January we know we've some big players to return. Melchisedec Gibbons rejoins us in January from his year-long suspension, while Stanton Lewis should have recovered from his knee operation. They're both important pieces in our puzzle.

"With Aaron Williams set to arrive in November from Somerset and Lamaul Crofton also due back, better times are on their way."

In the meantime Rebello maintains he has faith in his crop of youngsters with 16-year-old Niko Smith already catching the eye in two snappy cameo appearances.

The dreadlocked, box-to-box midfielder impressed during Blazers' 4-0 defeat to Cougars, and followed up with another "bitch of a game" according to Rebello.

"Niko is a very young player with a lot of potential. He's a natural central midfielder who certainly likes to tackle and is a real box-to-box man. He's a little different from a lot of players we produce in Bermuda. He's one for the future and will improve as he gets stronger."

Dandy Town take on PHC at 7 p.m. tonight. The Hornets have already qualified for the semi-finals with PHC requiring a point. Boulevard face Somerset at 9 p.m. Both games will be played at Devonshire Rec.