Devonshire Colts emphasised their position as a team to be reckoned with this season with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Boulevard at Somerset last night to reach the Martonmere Cup semi-finals.

Goals in each half by youngsters Quincey Aberdeen and Keishon Smith extinguished the Blazers, who appeared a shell of their former domineering selves.

The win put Colts on top of Group B with three points from their two games.

Boulevard must beat holders Somerset in the remaining game on October 13 at Devonshire Rec to make the final four. "I hope this was a sign of things to come,'' said a beaming Lorenzo Symonds after the match.

Player/coach Symonds had omitted himself from the Colts lineup, but his youthful side were none the worse as they more than held their own against their more experienced opponents.

Both teams took time to establish any sort of groove, but while Colts soon settled Boulevard were never able to function as a cohesive unit.

Nevertheless it was Boulevard who had first crack at goal in the sixth minute.

Striker Kenny Hill bent a right-footed shot from 20 yards just wide of Andre Hendrickson's left upright after combining with Dean Boyles and Dwight Warren along the right flank.

Colts immediately made their opponents pay for their misfortune as Smith worked his way into the right side of the Blazers' penalty area and drew goalkeeper Ed Oliver before squaring the ball to an onrushing Aberdeen who was left with the simple task of slotting it into an open net.

The pace intensified following this early strike. Within moments Boulevard's Carlos Pearman and Vernon Eve each had shots blocked as they went in search of the equaliser.

Colts' skipper Craig Smith nearly brought the crowd to its feet with a fierce dipping volley from 30 yards in the 32nd minute that went narrowly over the crossbar.

The best chance of the half for Boulevard fell to Neil (Diamond) Robinson as Hill laid on a pass from inside the penalty area only to see his teammate screw his effort miserably wide.

Play disintegrated as halftime neared with Colts' backline, marshalled by Chris Wright, were resolute in defence of their one goal lead and Boulevard's striking tandem of Hill, Robinson and Warren were unable to make any inroads.

Some alert play by Keishon Smith two minutes following the restart enabled Colts to deliver the knockout blow from which Boulevard would not recover.

Referee Cal Simons awarded Colts a free kick ten yards inside their opponents' half. Craig Smith unleashed a thunderous drive that Oliver could only smother, and while the defence lapsed Keishon Smith raced unchallenged to side foot past the sprawled 'keeper.

Try as they might -- and they had numerous chances -- Boulevard were unable to place the ball past the goal line.

Robinson was the goat on two occasions. The first came in the 54th minute when he sent his drive from inside the penalty area wide after getting on the end of an Albert Smith cross and four minutes later he was foiled by the feet of Hendrickson, blowing some fine work by left-winger Dwight Warren who toiled tirelessly throughout with little support.

Boulevard brought on substitutes Cyril (Dago) Steede and Maurice (Echo) Smith however they could do nothing to stop the exuberant Colts from marching on.

"I'm happy with the out performance,'' said Symonds, who surrendered his centre-back spot to Derek Wright. "The consistency is coming. That's what we strive for as well as trying to play attractive soccer.'' Devonshire Colts: A.Hendrickson; K.Burchall, D.Wright, C.Wright, J.Belboda; H.Trott, K.Lawrence (A.Wilson 73 mins), C.Smith; E.Weldon, K.Smith (V.Smith 82 mins), Q.Aberdeen Boulevard: E.Oliver; D.Boyles, L.Stevens, W.Richardson, V.Eve (C.Steede 56 mins); C.Pearman, A.Smith, K.Darrell; D.Warren, K.Hill (M.Smith 68 mins), N.Robinson Men of the Match: Keishon Smith (Devonshire Colts), Dwight Warren (Boulevard) Referee: Cal Simons.

ON TARGET -- Keishon Smith scored Colts' second goal to clinch a semi-final spot.