BALTI SPORTS 6

SWANAGE TOWN & HERSTON 3

BALTI Sports made it a magnificent 17 goals in two games after thrashing Swanage Town & Herston 6-3 at Cranford Avenue.

The Weymouth side are finishing the Dorset Premier League season strongly having suffered a six-game losing streak from the turn of the year.

Marco Nott’s men are now 11th and have three victories in five matches going into their final five fixtures of the 2023/24 season.

The three points backed up the 11-0 victory over strugglers Sturminster Marshall last time out.

READ MORE: Balti Sports 11-0 Sturminster Marshall - report

Balti overcame the loss of Sami Nichols and Ollie James prior to kick-off as Stef Stavrianos bagged his sixth goal in two games, rounding goalkeeper George Taylor for 1-0.

Derek Wall used the same method to double Balti’s lead but the hosts were guilty of switching off from the restart as Cody Moore made it 2-1.

However, Balti restored their two-goal cushion when Liam Taylor’s 50-yard free-kick sailed over his namesake for a spectacular goal.

After the break, Jack Summers tapped home from Matty Chambers’ assist but the spirited Swans continued to keep Balti honest as Ocean Smith got on the scoresheet.

The concession jolted Balti into life and the Weymouth side duly extended to 6-2 their lead as Wall rounded Taylor to score and Chambers darted in from the left to fire under the keeper.

Back came Swanage, though, as Charlie Dyke beat home keeper Harrison Wallis from close range.

Balti could have added to their tally had Taylor not saved a Chambers penalty and Wall not struck the post, while Summers disputed a goal ruled out for a foul.

Balti assistant boss Chris Hicks highlighted his satisfaction with the result but noted the Weymouth club’s lapse in concentration on three occasions as Swanage grabbed three soft goals.

He told Echosport: “Obviously a very good result and some strong performances with some good goals.

“I’m disappointed to concede as we weren’t really ever under any pressure but just switched off three times.

“It’s good to have a strong squad which enabled us to freshen up when lads got tired.”

Balti now face their final five matches in the last month of the season, beginning with a home test against unbeaten leaders Blandford United on Saturday (3pm).

Nott’s men then embark on their final midweek fixture four days later when Sherborne Town Reserves entertain them ahead of a home clash with promotion-seeking Wimborne Town Reserves.

Away trips to Poole Borough and Holt United close out their 2023/24 campaign, ending on Saturday, May 18.

Balti: Wallis, Hawker, Butcher, L James, Hansford (Gear 70), Summers (Clark 70), Harvey (McClements 60), L Taylor, Stavrianos, Chambers, Wall (Stone 80).