BALTI SPORTS 4

BLANDFORD UNITED 5

Balti Sports and Blandford United played out a nine-goal thriller at Weymouth College Sports Centre on Saturday.

In a game where the lead changed four times, former Weymouth striker Mark Ford scored four goals for the away side in a game packed with action. 

Despite going 3-1 down, Balti turned the game on its head to see the Weymouth-based club go into the break 4-3 up. 

However, two second half goals would see the away side take all the points in a sensational encounter.

Balti started well and took the lead with just a couple minutes into the game as Charlie Mussledon latched on to a long ball over the top before tucking the ball away.

Blandford would come straight back and levelled the score just one minute later.

The Royals' James King drilled a low cross into the box which was flicked back by Thomas Butcher with Ford on hand to get his first of the afternoon.

In a frantic opening 12 minutes, Blandford then went in front through Ford and would complete his hattrick soon after with the home side now 3-1 up before 15 minutes had even been played.

The action did not end there though as Balti came back with three more goals of their own courtesy of Ethan Clarke and a double from Tyler Hoff meaning the Weymouth-based club went into the break 4-3 up.

The second half was a quieter affair, although not without incident.

Ford would claim his fourth of the match soon after the restart when Elliott Manson flicked the ball on from a King free kick and found the Royals' striker.

With 13 minutes left on the clock, Blandford would retake the lead through Joe Kempster  as he swiveled past a couple Balti defenders and found the corner of the goal.

Balti could not find an equaliser though and the away side took all three points in a quite extraordinary match.