WESTLAND SPORTS 1

BALTI SPORTS 3

BALTI Sports are within touching distance of a DPL Supplementary Cup semi-final place after an outstanding 3-1 win away to Westland Sports.

Balti went into the game realistically needing to beat Westland to keep their hopes of a place in the semis alive.

Marco Nott’s men are now tied with Westland on 11 points with one game in hand – a crunch clash with group victors Hamworthy Rec.

Sports know avoiding defeat by a maximum of three goals will send them through to a semi-final against Merley Cobham Sports.

Balti’s tremendous win against a team considered to be one of the ‘big three’ in the Dorset Premier League very nearly did not happen.

A torrential downpour minutes before kick-off in Yeovil left ground staff with standing water to clear.

READ MORE: Balti 1-1 Westland - match report

However, after their heroics the game went ahead and Westland began the brighter, raiding down Balti’s left-hand side at will.

Westland’s left-back cut inside in one attack, forcing a superb diving save from Andy Nott to keep out a shot destined for the top corner.

Balti finally settled and with their first meaningful move took the lead through Carl McClements, who got in front of his man and guided a header home from Sean Zima’s cross.

Balti went close to 2-0 when a free-kick caused pinball in the Westland box, Lloyd Beals directing an effort just wide.

Andy Nott produced two more excellent saves and full-back Liam O’Shaughnessy a pair of crucial blocks, but Westland still managed to find an equaliser as Josh Payne finally breached their defence.

Hesitation caused Balti’s Danny Andrews to miss a golden chance, the striker taking too many touches at the back post to allow Westland to recover and block the danger.

After the break, Marco Nott’s troops were more physical and took the game to Westland – at a ground where no Balti side had ever won before.

Balti reaped their rewards as Beals volleyed home at the near post for 2-1 midway through the half.

Experienced midfielder Ryan Dovell then popped up through the centre of the Westland defence before firing low through the keeper for 3-1.

Knowing goal difference was pivotal with the table situation, Balti pressed for a fourth but sub Stef Stavrianos scuffed wide after good work from Matty Burrows.

But the winger’s miss did not take the gloss off a magnificent victory for Balti.

Speaking to Echosport, elated Balti boss Marco Nott said: “It was a stunning win.

“I keep saying we’ve been playing well this tournament and that just shows how good we have been.

“We were up against a strong Westland side and we’ve never won down there.

“It was nice to get rid of the hoodoo and we thoroughly deserved it; It wasn’t a fluke.

“We took the game to them big time in the second half, we were really dominant.

“It got to the point where it was 1-1 up until the 70th minute and I thought: ‘Oh God, they’re going to nick it again’.

“But we got our goal, got a third and it was job done. The big swing in goal difference meant each goal that was going in was worth double.

“We’re three goals better now, so the only way we’re going to get knocked out is by getting a hiding against Ham Rec, 4-0 or more.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position, so hopefully we don’t throw it away. It’s been a group pf death, really.

“We started on one point after three games, so the way the lads have come back is so pleasing.

“We’ve stumbled across something, it’s really clicking into gear and looks really promising. Hopefully we’ll have good momentum going into next season.”

Balti host Hamworthy Recreation at Weymouth College in their pivotal final game on Saturday (3pm).

Elsewhere, Balti Sports Reserves beat Swanage Reserves 2-0 at Redlands to put them second in Division One Cup Group B with one game remaining.

Darren Harding and Alex Afanaslew got the goals for Balti’s second string.

Balti: A Nott, Zima, Walker Beals, O’Shaughnessy, Taylor, Stewart (Drummond 75), Dovell, Burrows, McClements, Andrews (Stavrianos 65).

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