BALTI SPORTS 1

STURMINSTER NEWTON UNITED 2

BALTI Sports succumbed to a late winner from Sturminster Newton United as the Cherries claimed a 2-1 win at Cranford Avenue.

Victory, sealed in the 80th minute, underlined Stur’s credentials as one of four teams from the Dorset Premier League to apply for promotion to Step 6 in 2024/25.

They, along with DPL champions Holt United, Wimborne Town Reserves and Swanage Town & Herston, will battle it out for a place in the National League System.

Stur currently sit third in the DPL and did their promotion chances no harm by beating a spirited Balti side.

READ MORE: Bournemouth Sports 2-3 Balti Sports - report

They were gifted a penalty 15 minutes in, conceded by Balti centre-half Aston Butcher, allowing George Coleman to step up and beat goalkeeper Harrison Wallis from the spot.

Both teams were then forced to scrap away on an unforgiving surface but the Cherries maintained their advantage until the break.

Chances were at a premium but Stur did hit the crossbar, while working Wallis into two comfortable saves, and Balti’s Matty Chambers dragged a shot wide.

Balti improved in the second half and deservedly claimed an equaliser as new signing Sol Roche squared for Louis Gear to fire home from 18 yards out into the bottom corner.

Balti were playing the better of the sides until injuries to Callum Allison and Ollie James disrupted the hosts’ flow.

And Stur took full advantage as Buddy O’Shea got on the end of a low cross, bundling past Wallis at close range.

Chambers came close to a last-gasp leveller but the Balti winger could only fire over as Stur saw the game out.

Balti boss Marco Nott told Echosport: “There wasn’t much goalmouth action, it was just a really good battle between two good teams.

“I was pretty pleased with the way we played and once again we gave our all. We came out losing a close game.

“It was tough because I think they’d definitely agree a draw would’ve been a fair result. It wasn’t to be and we just go again. There’s nothing to be downhearted about.

“It’s just unfortunate. They’re a good, experienced team and they didn’t play their best but still managed to get the win. Fair play to them.”

He added: “I thought the lads were excellent. The pitch was absolutely awful, so very difficult playing conditions.

“This young group were absolutely outstanding. We went 1-0 down early doors and we were up against it.

“Stur were the better team in the first half but second half we more than deserved our equaliser.

“But it was a cruel blow with 10 minutes to go.”

Balti have no game this weekend due to Wallis’ involvement in the DPL representative side’s match against Thames Valley Premier League at Reading City on Saturday.

Nott’s men return to action on Wednesday at Portland United Reserves (7.45pm).

Balti: Wallis, Nichols, Hawker, Butcher, Allison (Rupp 60), O James (Clark 80), Preece, Gear (Stavrianos 70), Batchelor (Stone 85), S Roche, Chambers.