STURMINSTER MARSHALL 3

BALTI SPORTS 1

BALTI Sports suffered a hiccup at promoted side Sturminster Marshall, who took a 3-1 victory in their Jewson Dorset Premier League clash.

Balti were fresh from a 2-1 victory over Wimborne Town Reserves the previous week but had early work to do after Stur scored a sixth-minute opener.

Marshall raided down the right and forced Balti keeper Andy Nott into a parry, with Kane Andrews latching on to the rebound quickest to score.

Balti responded positively with a host of opportunities as two low crosses flashed across the six-yard box just out of reach of a Balti attacker at the back post.

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Danny Andrews, Jack Drummond and Aston Butcher all passed up chances before a penalty enabled Andrews to equalise with his first goal of the season after Drummond was tripped in the area.

Starting the second half at 1-1, Balti contributed to their own downfall when Liam Taylor sliced a clearance into his own net for 2-1.

Offering another good reply to the setback of conceding, Balti hit the crossbar through Matt Roberts and Matt Chambers had a shot tipped over.

Sammy Nichols headed narrowly over before Andrews saw a bicycle kick blocked as the visitors poured forward.

That left them vulnerable to the inevitable counter as Marshall completed victory with a third goal in the 89th minute, Callum Whitelaw burying a cross to find an empty goal with Nott committed.

Speaking to Echosport, Balti boss Marco Nott said: “It was a disappointing result.

“A tough pitch to play on but it’s the same for both teams. We were so wasteful, it was incredible.

“We were almost a bit of a laughing stock how wasteful we were in front of goal.

“They were better in both boxes. They took their chances very well and looked dangerous on the counter.

“We just didn’t get going early doors. Their goal rocked us a bit, we hit back and scored but we should’ve been comfortably 4-1 up at half-time.

“Then we had the blow with our own goal and it was a bad time to concede. We were trying to push for a goal but their keeper made a few superb saves and they caught us on the counter at the end.”

Balti: A Nott, Curran, Butcher, Roberts, L Taylor, Jarvis (Mutch 60), Nichols, Chambers, Allison (Zima 65), Drummond (Rawlings 75), Andrews. Subs not used: Nutman, Brisco.

Balti man of the match: Callum Allison