BALTI HOUSE 4 OKEFORD UNITED 1

FOUR second-half goals, including two for on-fire Carl McClements, enabled Dorset Senior League leaders Balti House to repair some of the damage caused by the previous weekend’s hiding at the hands of Holt.

Ricky Lane and Grant Chance were also on target for Marco Nott’s hosts as they overcame a dogged Okeford side to stay three points clear of Chickerell in the table.

Nott was particularly impressed with the performances of striker McClements and defender Tom Grattidge, while he also took delight in having the likes of Lane and Charlie Kenderdine back in the fold after they missed the 8-1 rout seven days earlier.

Balti ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in the end but they trailed to the league’s bottom club at half-time.

The visitors took the lead 10 minutes before the break and, when Balti struck the woodwork early in the second half, it looked like it could be one of those days for Nott’s men.

But McClements equalised on 55 minutes and after that it was plain sailing.

Lane cut inside and found the bottom corner for 2-1, Chance converted from close range to make it 3-1, and then McClements finished off the move of the match to complete the scoring.

“We played some good football in the first half but were a bit too slow,” said Nott. “We upped the tempo in the second half and wore them down.

“We had a 20-minute spell where we scored all four of our goals and took our foot off the gas a bit after that.

“Carl McClements has really produced the goods this side of Christmas and he linked up well with the rest of the lads.

“He is a quality player and he really deserved the two goals he got.

“He was a bit slow to get started after joining us from Weymouth but now he is working really hard and getting the rewards.

“Tom Grattidge was also outstanding at centre-back and it was good to have the boys back who missed the game at Holt.”

Balti’s opponents this Saturday are fourth-placed Piddletrenthide Spartans.

They beat Witchampton United 3-1 last time out with two goals from Marcus Simpson and one for Kevin Seal.

Elsewhere at the weekend, Dorchester Sports conceded five goals at home for the second game running as they suffered a disappointing 5-1 defeat to Blandford United Reserves.

Balti: Nott, Walker, Grattidge, Anderson, Pearce, Lane (Dean), Litherland (Stanton), Kenderdine, Lock (Devaney), McClements, Chance