The last time Boulevard appeared in a Dudley Eve final, Leeds United led the English Premier Division, the NBA's New York Knicks were the top dogs in the Eastern Conference and Sweden's Stefan Edberg ruled the world tennis.

On that memorable New Year's Day at Wellington Oval, Kenny Hill's game-winner in extra-time gave Blazers a 3-2 aggregate win in a two-leg final over Larry Hunt's Somerset Trojans.

It was Blazers' first and only win to date in a competition honouring the legacy of the late Bermuda Football Association (BFA) administrator. And to illustrate just how long it has been since Boulevard last triumphed in the Dudley Eve, current skipper Takehyi Walker was a seven-year-old kid back then.

It was Blazers current coach Andrew Bascome who set up Hill's goal during the 1992 Dudley Eve final against Trojans after bringing himself on as a second-half sub.

"That was a long time ago and a great experience for me," Bascome recalled on the eve of his team's first Dudley Eve final appearance in 17 years.

"It's always good to win a trophy at Boulevard because at Boulevard we don't have much other than football, ourselves and the willingness to play for one another."

Bascome's charges will clash with Dandy Town Hornets for the first time in a cup final for one of local football's most revered prizes tonight at Somerset Cricket Club. It will mark the third time the two sides have met in the last month.

Hornets came from behind to beat Blazers 4-2 in a December 14 Premier clash at St.John's Field. But Boulevard avenged that loss courtesy of a 2-0 win over Town on Boxing Day that advanced them to a third overall Dudley Eve final.

Both sides will have much to play for in the West End tonight, especially Hornets who are determined to see to it that late defender Machai Campbell gets laid to rest tomorrow on a winning note.

Campbell became the 17th and last road fatality of 2008 exactly a week ago.

Bascome, who coached Town to the Premier Division title in 2000-01, has warned his players not to take anything for granted against his former team who seem to thrive when confronted with adversity.

"I have a lot of respect for Dandy Town and they also have my condolences for the young boy (Campbell) who recently lost his life," he said. "I'm sure they are going to come out with a lot of desire and we have to match that, which is good for football.

"It's not going to be easy but if we want to be champions then this is something we will have to go through. And I feel confident in my team's ability and preparation, but will never underestimate the desire of the opposition."

Overall, Bascome is satisfied with his team's most recent performances, particularly at the rear where Blazers have yet to concede a goal in this season's competition.

"I have been very pleased with our defending because it has been a collective effort," he noted.

Bascome refused to be drawn into comment about a potential line-up for tonight's cup clash. However, it is highly likely that striker Melchisedec Gibbons, midfielders Chae Simmons and Micheal Parsons and defender Jahmah Samuels will all return to the fold.

Town, meanwhile, are making their tenth appearance in a final they have won on three occasions, the last of which arrived during the 2004-05 season.

Apart from the potential return of former player/coach Meshach Wade, Hornets' line-up is likely to remain unchanged from the one that thumped Devonshire Cougars 4-0 at Lords on New Year's Day.