Well-taken goals by Dwight (Payback) Warren in the opening and closing minutes of this semi-final clash kept champions Boulevard in search of a second Martonmere Cup triumph.

Just as important it avenged a bruising 4-1 loss to the Red Devils at this same ground just five days earlier. After a slow start to the season Boulevard have now notched up two wins in succession.

"It feels good,'' admitted captain Neil (Diamond) Robinson afterwards. "We kept our heads together and shut Dennis (Robinson) down, but he was still a threat tonight. Roy (Stevens) did a good job on him.

"They had two main threats, Dennis and Elliott (Jennings) but we shut them down. It was two good goals by `Payback'. We're coming around now.'' A long range shot from Warren that flashed just past the far post after just 40 seconds should have been a sign of things to come as Boulevard went on the attack from the opening whistle. After just four minutes they were in front when a shot from 20 yards by Warren found the top left corner of Carlyle Crockwell's goal -- Warren's first goal of the season.

The game rose to a higher level after that and the more Robinson and Jennings began to click up front the more threatening Village looked. One such move in the 15th minute ended with a fierce Jennings cross that was deflected just past the far post by Robinson.

Four minutes later the game was level again when another move involving the pair resulted in Jennings collecting a cross on the right side of the penalty area. The chance was seemingly wasted when Jennings delayed releasing the ball but when he did he found Robinson unmarked at the far post.

When most players would have either headed it down or tried to control the ball the league's top scorer cocked his neck and smashed a firm header into the far post from an angle.

Both teams enjoyed brief spells of dominance after that as play switched in the first half. Boulevard had a setback when Kenny Hill, who limped off in the first half with an ankle injury, lasted only four minutes in the second before he was replaced by Ross Lambe.

There were three bookings in the second half, Village's Robinson for a foul on Leroy Stevens, Warren for a foul on Derek Bell which sent him off on a stretcher before he later returned and Stevens, also for fouling.

Village lost some thrust up front when Jennings went off injured in the 65th minute, leaving Stevens to concentrate solely on Robinson.

Some hard tackles were ignored by referee Roddy Burchall, including a challenge from behind by Stevens on Robinson as the striker threw up his arms in frustration.

His 10th goal of the season was to be overshadowed by a second goal by Warren 11 minutes from time.

Stevie Wade made it possible with a run from midway in the Boulevard half and when he fed a perfect pass to the unmarked Warren at the far post the winger settled the tie with a left foot volley into the bottom corner to earn a spot in the November 11 final.

Village: C.Crockwell; K.Simons, K.Grant, I.Romaine (E.Simmons 88min), C.Roberts, D.Bell, N.Smith, S.Franks, E.Jennings (K.Jennings 65min), D.Robinson, S.Dill.

Boulevard: M.Steede; D.Boyles, V.Eve, D.Charles, L.Stevens, G.Smith, M.Trott, N.Robinson, D.Warren, S.Wade, K.Hill (R.Lambe 49min).

Referee: Roddy Burchall Men of match: Kacy Simons (Village), Neil Robinson (Boulevard).