BALTI SPORTS 2

BLANDFORD UNITED 1

BALTI Sports became the first team to beat leaders Blandford United in the Dorset Premier League this season, courtesy of a remarkable 2-1 win at Cranford Avenue.

Blandford’s first loss of the league campaign was only their second in all competitions in the 2023/24 season and came in their 27th of 30 Dorset Premier League.

While the Royals cannot now record an invincible league season, they are also under threat from Sturminster Newton for the title.

The Cherries and Royals play each other in a crunch game on Saturday, with Stur needing to win and then secure three points from their game in hand to put the title’s destiny in their hands.

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Balti will therefore take great credit from this match as Marco Nott’s men had lost their previous five matches against Blandford, including a 9-0 drubbing last season.

And making the victory even more special was the fact emergency goalkeeper Oscar Preece played the full 90 minutes in the absence of number one Harrison Wallis, who misses the rest of the season to go travelling.

In-form Stef Stavrianos put Balti into a 10th-minute lead as the winger cut inside and drilled beyond goalkeeper Sam Pike who got a touch but could not prevent 1-0.

However, Blandford needed only six minutes to equalise as former Poole midfielder Steve Smith headed beyond Preece.

Blandford passed up chances for 2-1 as Joe Kempster blasted over, Preece saved a Smith header and ex-Weymouth striker Mark Ford prodded wide.

Preece had to deny Ford in the second half and Blandford pressured Balti with a number of set-plays, only for the home defence to stand strong.

They were rewarded when Stavrianos bagged his brace, taking two players on and slotting beyond Pike for a brilliant second.

Louis Gear could have put the result beyond doubt but smashed the crossbar and Preece had to repel Ford in a one-on-one as Balti survived late nerves to see out the victory.

Nott told Echosport: “It’s a massive win. Blandford have given us a couple of hidings over the last few years, we were definitely due a win over them.

“It makes it even sweeter that we’ve managed to beat them without them losing a game.

“Superb attitude and effort from the lads, I can’t ask for any more. At the end, we’ve had to defend well.

“It’s quite remarkable how we’ve won that game. The confidence is showing in the boys now, it’s great to see them in form.

“We do notoriously finish the season quite well but I didn’t quite see that result coming. It was a great win, fantastic from the boys.”

Balti next visit Sherborne Town Reserves tomorrow (7.45pm) looking for their fourth-straight win.

Nott added: “We should be in confident mood. You can just tell from the WhatsApp group the lads are buzzing about that result.

“Hopefully we can take that into the next game and it’s always nice playing under the lights at Sherborne.

“There’s no reason why we can’t go there and get three points. Obviously, with it being midweek you don’t know what team Sherborne are going to get.”

Balti: Preece, Hansford, Butcher, L Taylor, Nichols, Stavrianos (Andrews 80), McClements, O James, Summers (Mutch 46), Clark, Chambers (Gear 60). Sub not used: Stone.