WESTLAND SPORTS 1

BALTI SPORTS 0

BALTI Sports slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Westland Sports in their Dorset Premier League game at Alvington.

Balti were not without chances in the contest but Westland crucially got their noses in front to hold on for victory, Ollie Crisp grabbing the winner.

Jack Summers volleyed a golden chance at Westland’s goalkeeper Sam Watts before Stef Stavrianos fizzed a volley wide.

Aston Butcher nodded over and Matty Chambers missed a one-on-one for Balti, who were grateful to Harrison Wallis for a couple of smart saves.

READ MORE: Balti Sports 1-2 Holt United - report

Josh Payne and Crisp both missed good opportunities for the hosts as the sides went in 0-0 at half-time.

Westland began the second half strongly, blazing two chances over the bar, but the pressure told as Crisp scored at the third time of asking after Sam Carney’s shot hit the bar and the rebound was blocked.

Balti searched for an equaliser in the final 20 minutes and threatened with deliveries into the box, without creating a clear chance as Westland preserved their clean sheet.

Balti boss Marco Nott said: “It was very tight, a good match all-round.

“Westland got their goal and at the end we huffed and puffed a little bit.

“It was unfortunate not to get anything from the game. The lads worked so hard, it wasn’t for the want of trying. We went there with 12 so we were up against it a bit.

“We actually had a couple of good chances in the first half to go ahead but equally they had one or two themselves that they probably feel they should’ve done better with.

“Second half they were the better side and probably 1-0 was a fair reflection.”

Balti now turn their attentions to a demanding home game against champions Holt United on Saturday (2pm).

Nott added: “We’ve had some brutal fixtures and up to Christmas is even tougher.

“It’s an extremely tough run but we’re in every game. We played Holt two weeks ago and lost 2-1 in the cup, we were unfortunate not to get that to penalties.

“So, we’ll take credit from that. We’ve been awful for the last season but, with a young team now, we’re competing like mad. I don’t think any team has an easy game against us now.

“It’s only a matter of time before we turn one of the bigger sides over.”

Balti will be without Derek Wall (knee), while Oscar Preece and Louis Gear are unavailable. Carl McClements (ankle) is a doubt but midfielders Marcus Biles and Sami Nichols could return.

Balti: Wallis, Allison, Butcher, Hawker, Hansford, McClements, Devaney, Stavrianos, Chambers, Summers (Batchelor 65), Mutch.