Boulevard moved into the thick of the Dudley Eve Trophy picture as they snatched both points from league leaders Somerset in this First Division clash yesterday.

Suffering an injury list to rival that of an emergency ward, the Blazers used their fighting spirit to overcome a Trojans outfit aiming to become the first to qualify for the holiday tournament which involved the top four sides after nine matches.

Midfielder Vernon Eve assured the travelling faithful a joyful trip back to the city with a 75th minute goal that hoisted Boulevard to fourth in the standings, while the Trojans held onto a share of the top spot despite their second loss.

Eve supplied the early cheer as Somerset failed to fully clear from defence, allowing Dwight Warren to float a ball goalward which caught goalkeeper Andre Hendrickson backpedalling, forcing him to parry the ball against the crossbar.

However, with Hendrickson down and the rest of the defence ball watching, Eve nipped in to plunder an easy follow-up.

Up until that point it was Somerset who appeared the more likely to strike as they dominated large periods of the second half. This after Boulevard had controlled most of the period prior to the interval.

Full backs Dean Boyles and Albert Caisey caused severe problems in the first half with their overlapping moves along each flank. It was from one of these in the 18th minute that Caisey got an opening, but drove the ball inches wide of Hendrickson's left upright.

Meanwhile, Michael Holdipp nodded a Vernon Eve corner similarly wide of the mark moments later.

Still, Somerset had chances of their own, but wasted all, with striker Richard Scott often the chief culprit. Scott wasted three chances when able to slip behind the defence and run toward goal, shooting meekly or allowing the defence to recover.

Scott almost made amends seven minutes into the second half as he connected with Duval Binns at the top of the penalty area, the latter scorching a sweet left-footed volley over the top.

Four minutes later it was Scott's turn to fire an angled blast, this time being provided by a neat scoop pass by skipper Reggie Tucker. However, Mitchell Steede produced an acrobatic fingertip save to protect his clean slate.

Somerset continued to apply intense pressure starting from midfield where Binns and Tucker stood tall, dissecting their counterparts with pinpoint passing and purposeful dribbling.

All stood for nought though as Eve would soon step up, taking full advantage of Somerset's miscue.

Somerset: A.Hendrickson; K.Bailey, S.Roberts, J.Burrows, N.Woods, H.Hunt; D.Binns, R.Tucker, A.Bailey (R.Brangman 79 mins); R.Scott (C.Grant 68 mins), A.Brangman Boulevard: M.Steede; D.Boyles, L.Stevens, W.Richardson, A.Caisey; A.Smith (V.Simons 70 mins), J.Samuels, M.Trott, V.Eve; D.Warren, M.Holdipp Referee: Esten Curtis Men of the match: Reggie Tucker (Somerset), Dean Boyles (Boulevard)