Football is a funny sport.

One minute you are on a high and then the next thing you know you're on a low . . . just ask Boulevard player Meshach Wade.

After netting a superb brace against Southampton Rangers last Sunday, Wade's world came crashing down all around him when he collided with burly North Village striker Mackie Crane during Blazers' 3-0 Martonmere Cup loss to the Reds last Tuesday night at the Den.

Challenging for a loose ball in the middle of the park, Wade came out of the tackle on the worse end after his knee collided with Crane's.

The former Hereford United and Bermuda national team captain was then stretchered off the pitch and subsequently replaced by Conneko Trott in the 37th minute, leaving his team mates to soldier on in his absence.

Ultimately, Wade's misfortune proved to be a crucial turning point in the match as gradually Blazers lost their shape at the back and allowed Village to pounce twice in the closing minutes.

"I went in for the tackle and Mackie (Crane) struck mine and I then fell awkwardly on to the pitch," recalled the 31 year-old player.

"It just twisted a bit and at this point I still don't know the extent of the damage."

Wade underwent an X-ray yesterday before soaking his right leg in salt water and applying grandma's good old-fashioned household remedy, match-if-you-can leaves, on the swollen knee.

"It doesn't feel that bad and it was just one of those things. But I don't think it's that serious."

X-rays revealed no tissue had been torn while yesterday Wade was able to bend the knee, certainly welcoming news for Blazers.

Since joining Boulevard at the beginning of the season, Wade said he relishes the new challenges which lay ahead.

"Things have been going fairly well and I've known these guys all my life," he said. "So I really don't have to make any major adjustments playing at Boulevard. And so far things have been okay."

Wade said he prefers to take things "one match at a time" and refuses to get caught up in all the hype.

Since adding a few seasoned campaigners including Wade to the team's roster over the off-season, many pundits have pencilled Blazers among the top teams to beat this season.

"I don't necessarily put us in the favourites category because on the actual day anybody can be beaten by the team sitting in eighth place to the team sitting on top of the standings," said Wade.

"So I don't consider us as being any favourites. The league itself is not how it used to be back in the day. Maybe the critics or the fans look at it this way . . . but I don't. I play football just for the enjoyment of it and take things one game at a time."