BRIDPORT 1

Tomas 5

BALTI SPORTS 2

Chambers 2, Drummond 37

BALTI Sports upset the odds to beat higher-league Bridport 2-1 in an entertaining pre-season friendly game at St Mary’s Field.

In a frantic start to the game, it was 1-1 within five minutes as both teams scored excellent goals.

Only 100 seconds had elapsed when Matty Chambers scorched a 20-yard free-kick past Callum Smalley.

Bridport’s Matteus Tomas then delivered an emphatic response, weaving his way past two challenges and slamming home a crisp left-footed strike from the edge of the box for 1-1.

READ MORE: Bridport 4-1 Bishops Lydeard - match report

Balti, playing their first summer friendly, nearly went back into the lead when Rory Zima tested Smalley and Bridport replied when Mo Hereka and Riley Greenwood-Neate worked Sports’ keeper Andy Nott.

Balti ended the half the stronger and duly retook the lead when Chambers raided down the right and put a low cross on a plate for Jack Drummond to plant a finish into the far corner.

In the space of 60 seconds, the teams exchanged shots as Zima fired at Smalley and Radu Bogdan worked Nott from close range, the keeper making a sharp stop.

Thirty seconds after half-time, Chambers wasted a glorious chance for 3-1, lashing at sub keeper Kian Wootton.

Chances were few and far between following that near-miss as rolling subs came into play, Bridport smashing a free-kick straight at Balti’s sub keeper.

Bridport enjoyed more possession late on and sensed an equaliser, Adam Steele dragging a shot wide from distance.

An amazing passage of play followed with six minutes to go, a Bridport corner hitting the inside of the far post and somehow eluding the onrushing Steele.

Balti then broke and Fin Suggs lobbed the advancing Wootton for Chambers to gather, only for ex-Balti defender Josh Grace to block his shot on the line.

Bridport pushed for a last-gasp leveller but found Balti in no mood to give up the win as Balti’s pre-season campaign began with victory.

Winning boss Marco Nott said: “I thought the lads looked really good. The shape of the team was good considering we haven’t worked much on it, we’ve just had two sessions.

“They applied themselves well and a lot of the lads had their fitness. It was really pleasing, we scored a couple of good goals.”

On Chambers’ star turn, Nott said: “He’s a good player, he really has improved.

“He’s really got some pace about him and he just grew and grew into the season last year. It was nice to see him start so well (yesterday).

“I don’t know why he took that free-kick, I thought Danny (Andrews) was but he hit really well.

“And the second goal I thought was brilliant, the way we switched it across the back four and down the right-hand side. That’s how we want to play, really. I’m delighted.”

Bridport boss Edgar Marcu felt his side dominated, however.

He said: “With the overall performance regarding the football we played, I’m happy, I have to admit.

“It’s the football I want. Obviously, we have to be more clinical in front of the goal, we missed again very good chances.

“It’s frustrating and I hate losing but it will click at one point.”

Bridport host fellow Step 6 side Wincanton Town tomorrow (3pm).

Marcu added: “I expect it to be a very difficult game but I expect them to play good football which will allow us to play good football.

“Last season they played in the play-offs but we’ll see, we’ll take things very seriously. We’ll have to step up.

“But also in the last two games we’ve scored five goals. It will be interesting to see against Wincanton.”

Balti play Dorchester Sports at the Avenue Stadium on Tuesday evening (time TBC).

Bees: Smalley (Wootton), White, Gall, Baggs, Grace, Bogdan (Hunter), Tomas (Bosnea), Hereka (Arnold), Owen (A Steele), Greenwood-Neate, Ayunga (M Calverley).

Balti: A Nott (Spearing), L Taylor, Anderson, Butcher, Brisco (Allison), Walker, McClements, R Zima, Chambers (Suggs), Drummond, Andrews (Baker).