First let it be said that referees in Bermuda generally do a difficult job very well.

They give their time freely or for a nominal fee, while often doing responsible and pressurised jobs, to allow thousands of fans to enjoy their football.

They are frequently subjected to unwarranted abuse by spectators and players alike, which they good-naturedly shrug off.

But sometimes they do themselves no favours.

Last night's performance by Stuart Crockwell in this Friendship Trophy semi-final was a case in point.

Crockwell, who was at the centre of controversy when he disallowed a last-gasp goal by Rohaan Simons for Southampton Rangers against Vasco recently, was up to his tricks again.

With Boulevard leading 2-1 in an entertaining encounter at Somerset Cricket Club, he suddenly awarded Hotels two penalties in three minutes mid-way through the second half. The second was questionable -- the first, incomprehensible.

Crockwell was well inside the Hotels half when Joseph Weeks chased a hopeful long ball into the Boulevard box accompanied by defender Donnie Charles. The ball bounced into Andre Hendrickson's arms but the referee, 60 yards away, whistled, raced to the area and pointed to the spot. The impressive Dennis Robinson equalised.

Moments later, Wayne Augustus made a good run into the area and as the ball broke loose both he and Charles swung at it. They seemed to connect with each other instead -- Charles a fraction later than Augustus -- and Crockwell again awarded a penalty. This time Robinson missed. But it was all too much for Charles who spoke out of turn and was sent off.

Hotels took advantage of the hole left in the middle of the Boulevard rearguard to score two goals in the last 10 minutes to book a Final place against Vasco. First Weeks struck after being set up by Marlon Lindsay before Lindsay himself produced a fine low shot.

Earlier Kenneth Hill slid in Boulevard's first on five minutes. Lindsay headed in the equaliser 17 minutes later before Rodney Bascome struck on 52 minutes with a fine left foot shot.

By the end, Boulevard coach Herbie Bascome's anger had turned more to resignation.

But he did say: "I just wish the referees would take the games more seriously. The decisions were unprofessional.'' Wolves saw off Hamilton Parish in the earlier Shield semi-final 3-0 on penalties. They scored their first three spot-kicks as Irvine Burgess, Zane Stowe and Leon Raynor all missed to set up a final against St George's. The match had finished scoreless after extra time.