Boulevard 1 Devonshire Colts 2

Diminutive forward Peter Sampson rose majestically at the near post to deliver a late crushing blow to Boulevard and earn Devonshire Colts a hard fought 2-1 win at BAA Field on Saturday night.

Capping off a spirited second half revival after Shaki Crockwell had given Blazers a first half lead, Sampson nodded Jermaine Belboda's well-weighted free kick past a stunned Corbin Durrant, who up until that point had enjoyed another sterling performance between the sticks to keep his team in with at least a chance of sharing the spoils.

The goal was a bitter pill for Blazers to swallow after they had enjoyed more than their share of possession.

Colts' workhorse Jamel Smith had erased Boulevard's lead in the 62nd minute.

To further compound Blazers' woes, coach John Rebello, sent off midway through the second half, may now find himself in hot water after he had to be restrained immediately following the final whistle as he vented his frustration at match officials.

From the outset, this league encounter never looked like producing many goals as both teams opted to flood the middle of the park and rely on quick breaks. For the second successive match, Colts were without captain Shannon Burgess while Quincy Aberdeen's self- imposed exile continued. Blazers were without fiery left winger Takehyi Walker.

Tempers flared as early as the third minute when Boulevard defender Albert Caisey and last season's top poacher Melchisedec Gibbons had their names entered in referee George O'Brien's book.

However, the real fireworks would unravel shortly after as Jahmah Samuels tested Colts' `keeper Cymande Davis with a long range effort. Crockwell, a menace to the Colts defence throughout, gave Blazers the lead when his crisp low drive from an acute angle just inside the 18 yard box surprisingly beat Davis at the near post.

Now forced to throw players forward in search of an equaliser, Colts defender McKonnen Hollis saw a close range shot saved by an alert Durrant only moments before he was booked for a harsh late tackle on Gibbons.

Durrant was called into action again ten minutes before the break as Colts continued to press forward, this time the goalie executing a brilliant save, pushing a full-blooded Lloyd Holder drive around the post.

Four minutes later, Zuill was presented with two bites at the cherry. First he had a headed `goal' disallowed for offside and then could only watch in amazement as Durrant plucked his first-time acrobatic close range shot out of the air.

Colts came out after the break with more intensity and it wasn't surprising to see them finally equalise when Smith's close range snap-shot sneaked inside Durrant's near post in the 62nd minute.

But with time running out and the match seemingly headed for a draw, Boulevard left the back door slightly ajar which was all Sampson required to sneak through and deliver the lethal blow.

Boulevard: C.Durrant, L.Stevens, S.Wade (Jahl. Samuels, 87 mins), A.Caisey, R.Wilson, Jah.Samuels, M.Gibbons, R.Burgess, D.Cox, S.Crockwell (F.Karfa, 87 mins), R.Saltus (V.Phillips, 63 mins).

Devonshire Colts: C.Davis, M.Hollis, Jer.Belboda, K.Simpson, S.Mendes, A.Zuill, P.Sampson, Jer.Belboda, L.Holder (J.Butterfield, 90 mins), J.Smith (J.Dill, 73 mins), S.Waldron (J.Simmons, 73 mins).

Booked: L.Stevens, M.Gibbons (Boulevard); M.Hollis (Devonshire).

Men of the match: S.Crockwell (Boulevard); J.Smith (Devonshire).

Referee: G.O'Brien.