BALTI SPORTS 3

STURMINSTER MARSHALL 3

BALTI Sports showed signs of returning to form during an engrossing 3-3 Jewson Dorset Premier League draw with Sturminster Marshall at Cranford Avenue.

Five goals were scored in a hectic first half that had Balti fearing another loss, having conceded nine times across two consecutive defeats.

Balti found themselves 1-0 down when Josh Ridland took advantage of a defensive slip to put Marsh ahead.

Sturminster doubled their lead when Matt Roberts was penalised for handball and Will Gage sent home keeper Andy Nott the wrong way from the spot for 2-0.

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Balti pulled a goal back through a penalty of their own as Roberts redeemed himself, drawing a foul in the box and enabling Carl McClements to step up and score the spot-kick.

Sloppy defending that had plagued Balti’s previous two matches then resurfaced when the home defence was caught ball-watching, allowing Callum Whitelaw to steal in and net at the back post.

While the hosts had very little play in the first half, Balti made the most of their chances and went into half-time 3-2 down when Jack Drummond’s low fizzing cross forced an own goal.

Balti rejigged their midfield for the second half and Sam Nichols played in Matty Chambers down the left-hand side, the winger then firing home with his weaker left foot.

Nichols had a shot tipped onto the bar and zipped another low shot across the face of goal.

But the biggest chance for Balti to claim victory came when Lloyd Beals unselfishly squared to Danny Andrews, only for the ball to stick in the striker’s feet and the Marsh defence to make the block.

At the other end, Nott made a crucial flying stop and Marshall saw a late goal ruled out for offside shortly before the end of an action-packed encounter.

Speaking to Echosport, Balti manager Marco Nott said: “It was a superb game, almost a game of two halves.

“Stur battered us in the first half and probably should’ve scored more. We just managed to hold on and get a couple of goals.

“It led to some choice words at half-time and I thought we were fantastic second half, much more like the old Balti.

“A lot more front-foot, creating chances, we got the goal to equalise and we had two or three extremely good chances to win it.

“The defending was pretty average from both teams, which made for an entertaining game.”

Balti next visit Wimborne Town Reserves on Saturday (3pm).

Balti: A Nott, Brisco, Anderson, Roberts, Allison (Preece 60), Jarvis (Andrews 85), McClements, Beals, Chambers (Sugg 75), Nichols, Drummond. Sub not used: Spearing.