BALTI SPORTS 0

HOLT UNITED 1

BALTI Sports suffered a major blow to their title hopes as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against second-placed Holt United in the Dorset Premier League.

The result sees Holt move to within four points of the league leaders, but with four games in hand.

It was a cagey encounter between two very impressive teams, but with chances at a premium it was clear the game was to be won by the odd goal in a game previously dubbed by Marco Nott as a “make or break” encounter for his side’s title ambitions.

Balti looked dangerous on the counter-attack, creating three or four openings which they arguably could have done better with.

Holt did however, dominate play and made the breakthrough with around 30 minutes left, as a ball was played into the back post, where it was knocked down and finished excellently into the top corner to give the visitors the advantage.

The hosts huffed and puffed but never really looked like making the breakthrough, and manager Nott expressed his disappointment at the result.

He said: “It was a good and honest game between two good sides, but there was always going to be one goal in it and they deserved the win.

“I was so proud of our players because we battled so hard. We gave everything for the cause.

“The lads in the changing room are distraught. They did absolutely everything and gave 110 per cent but it wasn’t to be.”

The result puts Holt firmly in control of the title race, and Nott was under no illusions that the defeat was a fatal blow.

He said: “You have to say hats off to Holt, and if they do win the league they deserve to do so, but we’ll still battle until the end and try to put pressure on them.

“They should go on to win the league now. They deserve it so it will be difficult to pick ourselves up after this.

“We’ll still finish strong because we’ve got really good players, and in my opinion we play the best football in the league.

“We have to be proud with what we’re doing and keep trying to get results. Holt might slip up drastically but I can’t see it. But for now we’re still four points clear so are still top of the league.”

Balti: A Nott, Proffitt, Welch, Anderson, Batchelor (M Nott), Devaney (Houghton), McClements, Kenderdine, Preece (Zima), Andrews, Lane