Boulevard 0

Devonshire Colts 0

Sloppy conditions and even sloppier finishing conspired to produced an entertaining goalless draw at Police Field yesterday.

Players from both Boulevard and Devonshire Cougars struggled to keep their footing, let alone get a shot on target in soggy, muddy conditions, and the only thing that increased throughout the day was the frustration on both sides.

With passes going astray, and moves breaking down at regular intervals, chances were at a premium. When they came, however, the ball invariably was fired well wide, or well over the goal.

It took 35 minutes for the first real chance of note to materialise, when Ian Coke, the Boulevard midfielder, managed to snake his way into the box, only to blast his shot high and wide of goal.

Two minutes later, Cougars had a turn when Mark Steede headed the ball down to Zachary Morris inside the Boulevard penalty area. Morris, however, managed to miss from just six yards out.

In spite of the difficult playing conditions, both sides fought fiercely to establish an advantage.

Boulevard mounted several attacks against a Cougars defence that has improved markedly in recent weeks, and would not bend, let alone break.

The Cougars, likewise, were able to launch their own forays with Kwame Steede, the player-coach, marshalling the midfield.

Both teams ended the first half with a sense of frustration at the opportunities missed, but hinting at better things to come.

That better showing nearly came in the 56th minute when TiaeVince Douglas got free in the penalty area, but managed to fire wide with the goal at his mercy.

Cougars had their chances too, the best of them falling to Zari Simmons, who was first to a ball that cannoned off Daniel Adams, the Boulevard goalkeeper. Simmons, though, dallied on the ball and Adams was able to snatch it away before the Cougars midfielder could get his shot off.

As time ran out the pace picked up, and Coke missed another golden opportunity when he again fired wide from inside the penalty area.

Still, Cougars might have snatched it at the death, when Kwame Steede’s pass found its way through to Lovintz Tota, but the substitutes shot was deflected wide by Adams and the game finished all square.