Boulevard 2

Southampton Rangers 2

Teenaged striker Morricko Iris' spectacular volley just minutes from time gave Southampton Rangers a precious point against early pacesetters Boulevard Blazers at BAA Field yesterday.

A wonderful chip from Dion Stovell had given Blazers the lead going into the break before Rangers hit back through Jermaine Dill who steered home from close range midway though the second period.

But while the Rangers faithful were still celebrating, Blazers winger Angelo Simmons struck straight from the restart, scrambling the ball into the net after 'keeper Gerald Simons had made a hash of a routine cross.

It looked as though Blazers had just about done enough to ensure their perfect start of the season remained intact before Iris' stunning effort, which ensured Andrew Bascome's side were knocked off the top spot by Devonshire Cougars.

The result was probably a fair one, with Rangers proving equal match for Blazers who could have grabbed all three points had Ajani Gibbons not fluffed his lines in the dying seconds of the scrappy encounter.

Gibbons, who joined Blazers from Cougars during the off-season, latched onto a long ball over the top but failed to steer his shot on target from a tight angle with only the 'keeper to beat.

Rangers coach Albert Smith said he was thrilled with the point and praised his team's goalscoring saviour Iris.

"I'm more than happy with the point to be honest," said Smith. "I'm very satisfied with our display and very satisfied with the draw. Results like this really help instil belief into the players and our confidence should now grow.

"We've already taken a point off North Village and I think we're showing everyone that we belong in this league. I was delighted for Morricko who really deserved his goal. He's only 17-years-old and he's always the first guy to turn up to training."

Smith believes Rangers' early form suggests they will not be embroiled in the relegation battle that many predicted for the division's new boys before the start of the season.

"Of course, it's still very early days but I can tell you we're certainly not thinking about a relegation scrap," he said.

Although the game was not one for the purists, both teams had their moments with Boulevard starting the brighter with the versatile Michael Parsons and stand-in skipper Takayhi Walker both going close in the first half, while Blazers shot stopper Andrew Jiombwe was forced into an important one-on-one save from the lively Iris during the second period.

Boulevard: A.Jjombwe, J.Payne, J.Samuels, C.Trott, R.Trott, A.Gibbons, A.Simmons (L.Crofton 85 mins), M.Parsons, D.Stovell, T.Walker, D.Taylor (P.Parsons 60 mins)

Subs: W.Place, R.Burgess, L.Crofton, J.Samuals

Southampton Rangers: G.Simons, A.Rocker (T.Browne 85 mins), K.Tucker, K.Simmons (M.Tankard 78 mins), T.Wilkinson, J.Dill, J.Charles, R.Simons (T.Flood 78 mins), M.Iris, C.Donnie, J.Casey

Subs: A.Raynor

Referee: R.Knight

Yellow cards: K.Simons (Southampton Rangers); C.Trott (Boulevard)

Man-of-the-match: M.Parsons (Boulevard)