Boulevard Blazers 3

Somerset Eagles 2

Boulevard Blazers managed to fend off a spirited second-half comeback from Somerset Eagles who almost rescued a point at St.John's Field yesterday, despite trailing by three goals at the interval.

Goals from the in-form Shakir Smith and substitute Rodre Wilson ensured it was a nervous finale for Andrew Bascome's Blazers who ran riot during a lop-sided first half.

Skipper Takeyhi Walker had given Blazers the lead after just 22 seconds to stun Eagles who struggled to gain foothold in the game throughout a first half that also saw Angelo Simons bag a brace.

But Kenny Thompson's half-time dressing room words seemed to have the desired effect with his Eagles players taking the game to Blazers in the second-half and very nearly claiming a share of the spoils.

Blazers coach Andrew Bascome said he was delighted to come away with a win and was full of praise for Premier Division newcomers, Eagles.

"We did not have a lot of time to prepare for the game as we had played in the Dudley Eve on Thursday night and had a little training session on Saturday," he said. "I'm delighted to pick up a victor against Eagles.

"At the moment I'm still viewing these games as match practice and it's good for us to beat a team like Eagles.

"They look like a good team and are very organised – I have a lot of respect for their coach Kenny Thompson."

In truth Blazers should have put the game out of Eagles' reach having completely dominated Thompson's out-of-sorts team during the first period.

If Walker's opener left a brittle looking Eagles stunned, then Simmons' double left them reeling on the ropes with the visitor's defence unable to contain the lively pair.

Mel Gibbons also struck the crossbar with a strike from distance, while Walker couldn't quite find the finish to a mazy dribble that saw him carve through the Eagles back-line.

But credit to Eagles who re-grouped after the break and looked a completely different team in after the break with Smith hitting a powerful shot into the top corner for his third goal of the season.

Substitute Wilson then latched onto a long ball before executing a neat finish with his first touch of the game to leave Blazers hanging on during the last stages for their second league win of season.

Boulevard Blazers: R.Broadbelt, M.Parsons, H.Burrows, A.Gibbons, C.Simmons, T.Walker, A.Simmons (D.Bascome, 80), A.Nelson, K.Bean, N.Smith (Q.Maynard, 75)

Substitutes not used: D.Bell, R.Burgess, N.Smith, M.Clemens, T.Wilson

Scorers: T.Walker 1, A.Simmons 36, 41

Yellow cards: H.Burrows

Somerset Eagles: M.Dill, A.Rocker, T.Fuller, T.Davis, T.Tucker, J.Bather, T.Tucker, A.Russell, P.Russell (A.Lambert, 77), A.Grant, S.Smith (R.Wilson, 78)

Substitues not used: T.Tucker, J.Bean S.Dread, J.Davis, D.Andrade

Scorers: S.Smith 55, R.Wilson 78

Yellow cards: A.Rocker, A.Russell, A.Grant

Referee: A.Reid

Man of the match: M.Gibbons (Boulevard)