Those entering Bernard Park yesterday expecting a catatonic battle between two of the Island's so-called glamour teams, North Village and Boulevard, were instead subjected to a match-up more reminiscent of two sides struggling to find their niche.

Action was sporadic and lethargic at times with the second half in particular disintegrating into a litany of fouls and offsides.

There was a bit of controversy in the dying stages when Village's Elliott Jennings planted a bullet of an indirect free kick past Boulevard goalkeeper Ed Oliver into the top right-hand corner only to have refereee Roddy Burchall disallow the score for the lack of the ball being touched by a team-mate, although it appeared that one indeed had.

Earlier, play see-sawed back and forth with neither side able to exact any measure of domination on the other.

Tito Smith did much of the early running for Village, drawing out three spectacular saves from Oliver. The first occasion came in the third minute when a long ball out of defence by Kevin Grant sprung Smith clear of his marker but his left-footed drive was sensationally tipped over the bar for a corner by the rangy 'keeper.

Eight minutes later, Smith was again in the thick of things, combining on the right with Kevin Jennings to get off a shot only to be thwarted once more by the acrobatic Oliver.

Not to be outdone, Boulevard retaliated with Kenny Hill twice rounding young 'keeper young Cymande Davis only to see his crosses run begging across goal untouched.

The Blazers almost put the ball in their own goal in the 31st minute when centre-back Leroy Stevens miskicked a cross by an overlapping Grant and Carlos Pearman was helpless as the ball ricocheted off his leg and nearly eluded Oliver, who reacted well to avert the danger.

Nearing half-time Pearman and Amon Brown both had chances to give Boulevard an advantage but hesitation at crucial times proved costly.

Defence ruled much of the second half with the Village foursome of Albert Caisey, Treadwell Walker, Michael Hansey and Kevin Grant resolute in their wanting to maintain a clean slate while Boulevard were similarly firm.

One person receiving the full brunt of the centre-back duo of Stevens and Wayne (Bigga) Richardson was Village's new signee Phillip Clarke.

Village played out the final minutes with 10 men after Walker tangled with Hill resulting in the former being stretchered off after sustaining an ankle injury. Village had earlier used their final substitution to replace a cramping Albert Caisey.

North Village: C.Davis; A.Caisey (A.Simons, 75 mins), T.Walker, M.Hansey, K.Grant; C.Caisey, E.Jennings, K.Jennings; P.Simmons (S.Hewey, 67 min), P.Clarke, T.Smith.

Boulevard: E.Oliver; D.Boyles, L.Stevens, W.Richardson, V.Eve; C.Pearman, A.Brown (V.Symonds, 61 mins), A.Smith, N.Robinson; D.Warren, K.Hill.

Referee: Roddy Burchall Men of the match: Tito Smith (North Village); Wayne Richardson (Boulevard).

ELLIOTT JENNINGS.