Rejuvenated Boulevard reclaimed lead of the Premier Division before a handful of spectators at BAA Field last night.

Blazers? captain Shaki Crockwell led from the front by scoring the only goal of an otherwise tame affair which saw defending league champions North Village suffer a first league loss of the season.

It was a match Village did everything to lose and one Blazers ? who created more scoring opportunities and space for themselves and spread the ball around with purpose ? thoroughly deserved to win.

And if there were any remaining doubts whether or not Blazers? bid for a first league championship since 1994-95 held any substance, they were well and truly erased midway through the first half when Crockwell clinically finished off a move he cleverly started in midfield. The stylish Crockwell slipped a short pass to fellow striker Angelo Simmons who found a subdued Melchisedec Gibbons in the middle. After riding off a desperate tackle, Gibbons fed Crockwell in wide open space who then sped diagonally across the top of the 18-yard box before turning sharply and unleashing a low drive that gave ?keeper Jason Williams no chance.

With a little bit of luck, Boulevard might have gone further ahead. But Simmons? in-swinging corner hit the crossbar while Crockwell had another effort cleared away.

Having played catch up to their opponents for most of the half, a flat Village finally came alive just prior to the break with an off-balance David Hunt firing over from a tight angle during one of his team?s better spells. Chances at both ends were reduced to a trickle after the break, though Blazers were able to maintain a slight edge.

It was Boulevard, with the tireless Chae Simmons working overtime in midfield, Simmons carving up the flanks and full back Cud Joe Matthews wreaking havoc with his diagonal crosses over the top of the Village defence, who dictated the tempo while the Reds continued to bicker amongst themselves as the rot set in.

Village?s best and only real chance of the second half fell again to Smith who on this occasion headed over when well placed to deliver.

At the opposite end it was the ever-dangerous Crockwell who kept Village on edge with his threatening pace and nearly doubled his team?s lead towards the end of the match. However, on this occasion the temperamental striker would be denied as his lob over an advancing Williams strayed wide of the target and was cleared away.

Blazers? win allowed them to go two points clear of second-placed Devonshire Cougars and three ahead of third-placed Somerset Trojans with two games left to play against minnows St. David?s and also Trojans before the Christmas break.

On the other hand Village must now win their final match of the first half of the season against PHC if they are to join Blazers, Cougars and Trojans in the festive Dudley Eve Trophy competition, which kicks off on December 19.: M.Higgs, S.Lewis, J.Warren, M.Gibbons, C.Matthews, J.Payne, C.Trott, C.Simmons, K.Butterfield (T.Walker, 74 mins), A.Simmons, S.Crockwell (capt).: J.Williams, D.Simons (J.Simmons, 90 mins), K.Dill, M.Hansey, R.Wilson, K.Dill, R.Bean Jr (capt), D.Hunt (T.Jennings, 55 mins), N.Smith, S.Hollis, D.Degraff.: R.Wilson (Village): C.Simmons (Boulevard); K.Dill (Village).: Anthony Mouchette.