Boulevard 1 Devonshire Colts 3

Devonshire Colts came from behind to overcome Boulevard at Devonshire Rec last night to book a place in the final of the First Division Shield.

Second-half goals from Thierry Burgess, Rahzir Smith-Jones (penalty) and Anthony Smith won it for Colts.

The goals came after Boulevard, who had Dareiko Walker sent off, had taken the lead at the start of the match through Khiry Easton.

Colts coach Ray Jones felt his players were their own enemies with their approach to the game.

“I think we made it a bit harder than we needed it to be,’’ Jones said. “I warned my players about the start, they gave away a goal in the first minute.

“We applied the pressure, but it wasn't controlled pressure, so I thought we would be a bit forceful in the first half chasing an equaliser, when we needed to control the game.

“At half-time we had a calm conversation — can we rotate the ball a lot quicker, can we get wide then come back in. I thought we were trying to get into the middle too quickly.

“As you saw, a minute into the second half, we were back in it. We then went back into trying to get the winner too soon, and we rushed it.

“I thought our execution was a bit poor in the middle to the final third, but then physically we’re in very good shape.

“It showed in the end, the two goals came late in the game because physically we were getting stronger, they were getting quite tired, we persevered.

“One thing I did say, at a minimum we have to make sure our name is in the hat to be there on New Year’s Day. We accomplished that goal, even though the performance can be better, but then it’s a young team, we need these moments that will help us grow into becoming stronger.”

Jones saluted Boulevard for giving his side a good challenge, and also shared his thoughts on St David’s Warriors, their opponents in Monday’s final.

“I'm happy for Boulevard for coming and giving us the test that we needed,’’ Jones told The Royal Gazette.

“As you know off the field everybody is saying based on how we started the season, we’re overwhelming favourites to win every game.

“That’s not how it’s going to be. Kudos to Boulevard, I really think they brought it to us, even with ten men.

“They had a chance where they could have put themselves ahead but they were wasteful.

“The St David’s team is a bit different from when we played them in the league. They have a few college players back, which makes them stronger.

“Our preparation will be slightly different from the first time we played them because the personnel will be different, but we’ll be back on the training pitch Friday in preparation for Monday’s match.”

Boulevard stunned Colts when Easton was sent through by Dunn-ya Taylor in the first minute of the game, beat the offside trap and then scored past Gregory Rose.

Jorj Dublin came close to equalising for Colts with a header from a Smith-Jones corner kick, but Deaz Chambers, the Boulevard goalkeeper, made a clean save.

The second half started just like the first, this time around Burgess getting the ball over the line for the Colts to equalise.

Walker was sent off by referee Tracy Adams six minutes into the second half for a dangerous tackle on Ishmael Naylor.

Colts made sure their numeral advantage counted as they had the lead through a Smith-Jones penalty in the 75th minute.

Adams had pointed to the spot after Smith was brought down in the box.

Smith added a third for Colts a minute before the end, Chambers drawn off his line and the substitute had no trouble in getting the ball into the net.

SCORERS

Boulevard: Easton 1

Devonshire Colts: Burgess 46, Smith-Jones 75 pen, Smith 89

TEAMS

Boulevard (4-3-3): D Chambers 5 – A Famous 5, A Smith 5, N Smith 5, Z Stovell 5 (sub: P Darrell, 83) – I Mallory 5, I Walker 5, D Walker 3 – D Taylor 6, K Easton 6, I Coke 6. Substitutes not used: Woolridge, K McQueen, J Fubler, D Gilbert. Booked: Famous. Sentoff: D Walker

Devonshire Colts (4-3-3): G Rose 6 – J Dublin 6, I Naylor 6 (sub: A Hart, 79), D Davis 6, A Van Duyne 6 – J Burgess 6, T Burgess 6 (sub: R Smith-Jones 7), K Burch 6 — R Jones 6, S Blair-Paynter 5 (sub: A Smith 56 6). Substitutes not used: I Greaves, C Henry, B O’Connor, J Saunders. Booked: Smith-Jones, Burch, T Burgess.

Referee: T Adams.