considered one of tremendous accomplishment by a squad made up largely of First Division neophytes.

But now that they are in the final, coach Lorenzo Symonds is not yet ready to concede anything and is anxious for the opportunity to stash away what would be their third FA Cup and first since 1974.

Due to the inclement weather that has curtailed training sessions, Symonds has spent most of the week meeting with the players, helping them to get over the loss against North Village in the Friendship Trophy last week and focus on the task at hand.

"It has been difficult this week,'' said Symonds, who has done an appreciable job guiding his charges through a rigorous season. "The guys were down after the loss, but after speaking with them the morale has been lifted a bit.

"I'm just worried about the guys being able to show character and being able to express themselves as good and talented soccer players.

"They have to relax and give a full commitment.'' That last mentioned aspect appeared to be missing against Village, thus they paid the price with a loss.

A similar lapse would not place them in great standing against a skillful Boulevard side either, especially on the open expanse of the National Stadium, which definitely suits the short-passing, deliberate style of the Blazers.

Three meetings between the pair had Colts winning two and losing one, including a 5-1 thrashing at Frog Lane that eliminated Boulevard from contention for league honours.

Symonds does not feel his side have a psychological advantage. "The only advantage would be against us as Boulevard have all the motivation to want to come back and beat us,'' he said.

An added plus for Boulevard is the experience factor, though this is often over-rated when analysing team performance.

"When things don't go right experience is an important factor as to how a team can regroup and come back,'' Symonds continued. "The key to us winning is to play as a team and know that no one player is going to win it. It has to be a team effort.'' Reflecting on the year, Symonds, the former national team captain who could take control of the defence or midfield with equal aplomb, was fairly pleased with what he saw.

"I really enjoy when I see the fruits of the labour.

"Success. Our game improving from start to where we've ended up.

"It isn't any one player that's made the difference, but a team effort, with only the inexperience that has let us down in a few crucial games, such as against St. George's (they lost twice to the east-enders).

"This year we wanted to contest every trophy and come in the top three and we've achieved that.'' As a coach Symonds has gotten the full respect of his players, which he puts down to his experiences as a player and allowing input from his players.

"I'm easy-going. I have things lined out as to what I want to do, but I don't fight against the players if they want to do something different.

"I'll let them do it as long as it's not outside of our framework.'' Come Sunday they will certainly want to be hitting inside the framework, that of the Boulevard goal.

LORENZO SYMONDS -- `It isn't any one player that's made the difference...'