Boulevard 3 PHC 0

Boulevard eased through to the FA Cup semi-finals after overcoming a lacklustre PHC side in a scrappy game at BAA yesterday.

On a pitch that made the ball bobble unpredictably at every bounce, both sides jettisoned slick passing and tight control for hit-and-hope long balls hoofed upfield for forwards to chase.

It did not make for an entertaining afternoon, which was littered with mis-kicks and passes that failed to find their targets.

One single moment of quick thinking, a cool head in front of goal and a last-minute penalty were the only three incidents of any real note in a match that lacked quality.

The ‘Route One’ approach provided dividends for Boulevard after just six minutes, when PHC ‘keeper Jay Smith suffered a mild panic attack. Charging out to pick up a long punt, Smith gathered cleanly but was forced to then drop the ball like a hot potato as his own momentum carried him out of his area.

He scuffed his clearance, which fell to Blazers youngster Dun-Ya Taylor. The Bermuda Under-20 team player kept his composure and, from 20 yards out, delivered a measured lob beyond the reach of a back-peddling Smith into a gaping net.

Boulevard kept up the early pressure and nearly doubled their advantage just four minutes later when Shaki Crockwell struck a stinging free kick from wide on the left. His delivery fizzed across a crowded penalty area before flashing inches past Smith’s far post.

Crockwell didn’t have to wait much longer before getting on the score sheet. After some neat build-up play just before the half-hour mark, the ball was fed out to the Boulevard top scorer who made no mistake, side-footing his shot into the corner with both accuracy and power.

Crockwell and fellow frontman Angelo Simmons gave the PHC defence a torrid time and it was no surprise to see left back Shea Smith substituted for Duval Wilson at the interval.

There was more determination from PHC in the second half but a repeat of last week’s result between these two sides — when the Warwick club managed to eke out a draw after going 2-0 down — never looked likely.

Attacking moves frequently broke down and the heavily-manned Boulevard defence was rarely breached.

PHC’s best chance came from a set piece, with veteran Chris Furbert forcing a fine reaction save from ‘keeper Nathan Darrell after latching on to an Omar Shakir free-kick 12 minutes into the second period.

Coach Kyle Lightbourne was drafted in shortly after, replacing defender Michael Williams, who had a disappointing game. The switch gave the PHC attack more bite and Lightbourne himself came close with a close range effort that flew into the arms of a relieved Darrell.

In the dying moments, and with an increasingly desperate PHC pushing forward, Boulevard broke clear. Dwight Warren found himself with just the keeper to beat but, after neatly doing just that, was scythed down down by the outstretched arm of the PHC shot-stopper.

Referee George O’Brien had no choice but to give Smith his marching orders and Warren slotted home the subsequent penalty past replacement ‘keeper Jevone Sealey.

The scoreline was perhaps flattering to Boulevard on a day when neither side performed to their best.

Boulevard Blazers N.Darrell, K.Butterfield, J.Samuels, C. Matthews, P.Dill, D.Warren, C.Simmons, D.Taylor (W.Place, 80 mins), C.Trott, A.Simmons (T. Walker, 72 mins), S.Crockwell.

PHC: J.Smith, M.Williams (K.Lightbourne, 65 mins), B.Bean, C.Dowling, O.Shakir, S.Smith (D.Wilson, 45 mins), C.Furbert, J.Sealey, K.Lambe (J. Almedia, 78 mins), A., C.Robinson.

Yellow cards: S.Smith, B.Bean (Zebras); S.Crockwell, C.Simmons (Blazers).

Red cards: Jay Smith (Zebras).

Referee: GeorgeO’Brien