Dandy Town 3 Boulevard 1

Dandy Town did a better job capitalising on their opportunities as they defeated Boulevard at Lord’s yesterday.

It was Boulevard who drew first blood when Clay Darrell sent a cross into the box. Momentary indecision by Town’s defence allowed Khiry Easton to swoop in and place his header past goalkeeper Jaiden Manders.

Coke, nearly doubled his side’s advantage in the 25th minute after receiving a long ball into the box. However, he could only watch in dismay as he squibbed his effort inches wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Town made Boulevard pay dearly on the half-hour mark when Damon Ming’s corner drifted over Chambers’s head to find Omar Wilson perched at the back post to fire into the roof of the net.

After the break, Town seized the upperhand with their second goal when Eusebio Blakendal’s cross led to a scramble for a loose ball inside the six yard box. Daeshun Butterfield took advantage to nod in.

Both sides continued to create opportunities to score but could not find that crucial and elusive finishing touch. In the 88th minute, Blakendal again made his way down the left flank and into the penalty area where his deft pass found Simmons who controlled beautifully before finding the net.

Ian Coke, the Boulevard player-coach, said: “As has been the case all season, we lacked that cutting edge. We had our chances but couldn’t put them away.”

In view of his side’s relegation battle, Coke added: “We need to keep our heads up and take charge of our own destiny and not worry about what the other teams are doing. If we take care of our business, we will be alright.”

Cal Blankendal, the Town assistant coach, said: “At this juncture, we’re trying to maintain our third-place position, which is where we finished last season.

“Our main goal is to go one step further by advancing as far as we can in the FA Cup.”

SCORERS

Dandy Town Wilson 29, Butterfield 49, Simmons 88

Boulevard Easton 14

TEAMS

Dandy Town: (3-5-2): J Manders – D Butterfied (sub: N Spence, 60min), E Blankendal, D Ming, O Wilson (sub: G Sampson, 71) — A Simmons, M Parsons, S Darrell, J Swan — L Emery (sub: N Smith, 89), J Richardson Martin. Substitutes not used: T Woodley, J Roser.

Boulevard(4-3-3): D Chambers — K Easton (sub: A Smith, 63), C Darrell, E Trott, I Coke – A Famous, N Smith, J Williams, D Taylor(sub: J Crockwell, 70) — T Butterfield, Z Stovell. Substitutes not used: A Foggo.

Referee: G Swainson.