Somerset 1 Boulevard 2A Stanton Lewis goal five minutes from time earned Premier Division leaders Boulevard victory at Somerset last night and stretched their lead atop the table to six points heading into the Christmas break.

Just when it seemed as though the match might be drifting into a stalemate, substitute John Payne, with virtually his first touch of the ball, sent a free kick into the area where Lewis was on hand to head home.

It was no less than the Blazers deserved as they appeared to be the hungrier of the two sides on a night when home team Trojans only played in spurts.

With the game tied up at one goal apiece at the interval, it was Boulevard who always looked the more likely to find a winning goal with Angelo Simmons and Shaki Crockwell tormenting the Trojans defence with their pace and accurate crosses.

Before Lewis eventually settled the issue, Melchisedec Gibbons fired over from 25 yards and Raymond Burgess and Cameko Trott also created chances.

But Somerset might also have snatched a winner, Boulevard keeper Michael Higgs needing to pull off a superb save to stop a Stephen Astwood piledriver, and Trojans sub Quincy Aberdeen missing a golden opportunity from inside the box.

From the opening kick-off both teams had come out firing on all cylinders but it was Trojans who snatched the early advantage after 15 minutes when they forced a corner. Astwood’s outswinger found the head of Jelani Scott who, despite the presence of several defenders, managed to squeeze his effort inside the post.

But after this goal, Somerset appeared to take their foot off the throttle and it was Blazers who began to press forward.

And it came as no surprise when they got back on level terms on the half hour. Crockwell, on one of his trademark darting runs down the flank, earned a free kick which he took himself, floating a cross onto the head of Gibbons who planted his shot inside the near post.

From another free kick Crockwell saw his attempt on goal deflected wide while at the other end Cofield Robinson fired wide for the Trojans and Jelani Butterfield saw his close-range shot blocked.

Somerset: A.Burrows, R.Scott, M.Butterfield, S.Simmons, D.Minors, M.Wade, J.Scott, S.Astwood, C.Robinson (Q.Aberdeen 58 mins), J.Butterfield (K.Sousa 74 mins), R.Wilson.

Boulevard: M.Higgs, S.Lewis, J.Samuels, J.Warren, C.Butterfield (C.Hayward 89 mins), K.Trott (J.Payne 80 mins), M.Gibbons, C.Simmons, S.Crockwell, A.Simmons, R.Bess (T.Walker 86 mins).

Yellow cards: R.Scott, J.Scott, R.Wilson (Somerset); J.Warren, K.Trott, M.Gibbons (Boulevard).

Men of the match: J.Scott (Somet); K.Trott (Boulevard).

Referee:<$> A.Francis.

Somerset Ees 3 St. George’s 4<$>

St. George’s smashed four first half goals to set up this First Division victory over the Eagles in last night’s opener at Somerset CC.

Aaron Douglas netted twice while Makai Douglas and E.J.Trott also tallied for the visitors.

Eagles, who led 1-0 but then trailed 2-4 at the interval, replied through Darin Dowling, Casey Richardson and Jermain Davis, who was sent off a minute from the end.