Som. Eagles 2 Boulevard 2

Lamaul Crofton pounced with a sweet, left-foot volley three minutes from time to give Somerset Eagles a share of the points with Boulevard in an emotive, top-of-the-table First Division clash at White Hill Field yesterday.

Boulevard, who trailed early on to a Desmond Burgess penalty, fought back well to equalise midway through the first half through Shaki Crockwell, before Eagles were hit with a Crockwell sucker punch at the start of the second half.

As Boulevard tired, Eagles seized the initiative and their last-gasp effort was no less than they deserved, even though the Blazers, who remain league leaders on goal difference, will be kicking themselves for the opportunities spurned in either half.

Crockwell was the chief culprit, snatching at a chance inside the first minute when he raced clear of a static defence. Seven minutes later, the forward was through again but his lob of the advancing Adrian Burrows in the Eagles goal was wide.

Keith Jennings, who played most of the dangerous balls behind the Eagles line, was on the end of a clever move in the 13th minute but Burrows did well to smother his shot.

From the counter attack Eagles won a penalty for handball against Robert Wilson, and Burgess just beat Shejuan Swan to his left.

Boulevard had just cause to feel hard done by, but had only themselves to blame. But they made amends in the 24th minute when a simple ball from Melchisedic Gibbons found its way to Crockwell at the back post to score from an angle that was far more difficult than his previous misses.

The goal stung Eagles into action with Crofton having a shot saved by Swan before Darren Dowling was twice denied by the goalkeeper from positions in which he should have done better.

In first half stoppage time, it was Crofton's turn to beat an ill-advised offside trap, but he was foiled by Swan. And, right before the half-time whistle, Jahmel Samuels put in a brave tackle to deny a Crofton volley after a neat bit of control.

So, the warning signs were there for Boulevard but before Eagles could cash in on their strong finish to the half, they were behind for the first time.

Straight from the kick-off, the ball was worked to Gibbons on the left and a delayed cross found its way to Crockwell who had only to steer the ball into goal.

This was too easy a goal to concede for a team with ambitions such as Eagles but the manner in which they fought back spoke volumes.

However, they twice had to survive gaffes by their goalkeeper that presented golden opportunities to Gibbons and then Jennings. On each occasion, though, the Boulevard player was too slow.

Substitute Rodre Wilson was the significant difference for Eagles in the second half as his pace on the left flank created problems for the visiting team. Boulevard introduced Leroy Stevens, the former Bermuda defender, but with midfield lost to the marauding Eagles they could only hold out for so long.

Crofton gave a warning sign in the 82nd minute when he was a step away from shooting for the equaliser before over-running the ball.

But he would make no mistake on the end of a Keion Simmons cross five minutes later. Again, Swan got a hand to the ball but he was beaten by the strength of the shot.

Somerset Eagles: A.Burrows; A.Lambert, D.Burgess, M.Hunt, D.Pinkney (J.Smith, 63 mins); K.Simmons, J.Butterfield (I.Mullings-Raynor, 71 mins), D.Woolridge, M.Butterfield; L.Crofton, D.Dowling (R.Wilson, 63 mins). Substitutes not used: S.Burrows, A.Philpott.

Boulevard: S.Swan; A.Caisey, Jahmel Samuels, M.Trott, R.Wilson (L.Stevens, 58 mins); M.Parsons, Jahmah Samuels (M.Hewey, 65 mins), K.Jennings; M.Gibbons, S.Crockwell (T.Walker, 71 mins), S.Wade. Substitutes not used: R.Saltus, R.Burgess.

Booked: Woolridge (Eagles); Jennings (Boulevard).

Men of the match: L.Crofton (Somerset Eagles); S.Swan (Boulevard).

Referee: Joe Pimental.