Blazers confident of cup upset
champions Boulevard remain confident ahead of Sunday's quarter-final clash.
Coach Herbie Bascome was disappointed when his team were denied a vital tune-up against Devonshire Colts after rain ruined Sunday's league match at Lord's. But the setback didn't dampen their hopes of brushing aside Vasco this weekend at PHC.
"We have no fear going into this match against Vasco,'' he said. "In fact, we did well against them in our last league game (a 3-3 draw on January 11).
We could have come out victorious, it was just unfortunate for us that they scored in the last couple of minutes.
"They have a good, solid team and will be hard to beat. But with the ability of the players that we have in our squad we shouldn't have any real problems against them.'' Team skipper and centre-back Leroy Stevens believes Sunday's game should be an exciting one for the fans.
"It's a very important game between two very good teams,'' said Stevens.
"But we are looking forward to advancing to the semi-finals.'' Boulevard, however, realise they need more consistency, the lack of which has seen them slip five points behind the First Division leaders this season.
"But this is a good season for us,'' added Stevens. "We had a decent first half and the second half we have been alright. But there have been a few drawn matches that have cost us to the point that Vasco have been allowed to go ahead. We are looking forward to winning our remaining league games and hope that Vasco drop one to help us out a bit.'' Bascome agreed. "Vasco are more consistent in the league while we have lacked a little, probably our lapses coming because of a lack of application during training.
"But now with this big game ahead I am hoping that we can pick things back up at training.
"I'm confident that we'll win. And I believe that whoever wins between us will be the eventual winner of the trophy.
"I couldn't have asked for a better team to play against, and we are really going to be ready for them.'' Last night's rescheduled double-header at Somerset between First Division teams Somerset and Dandy Town, and Second Division teams Hamilton Parish and St. David's again fell victim to the foul weather.
Postponed on Saturday night because of a waterlogged pitch, the same reason was cited last night by officials who called the games off.
No new date has been announced.
LEROY STEVENS -- hoping to lead Boulevard into the semi-finals of the FA Cup.