BALTI SPORTS 2

WESTLAND SPORTS 1

OSCAR Preece helped Balti Sports wrap up their season with a 2-1 win at home to Westland Sports, who at the start of the day were in with a shot of lifting the Dorset Premier League title.

The victory sees Balti finish eighth in the table, with 49 points and claim revenge by ending the title hopes of Westland who have beaten Balti three times this season.

Balti started on the back foot with their opponents coming fast out of the blocks as Westland spent the first 10 minutes trying to chase a win that could potentially give them the title.

The visitors hit the post early on but Balti defended well to frustrate their opponents, which allowed the hosts to grow into the game.

Preece had an outstanding game and was instrumental as Balti opened the scoring in the 30th minute, when he controlled the ball and put it in the path of Danny Andrews who hit a first-time shot into the far corner from 20 yards.

Balti saw the half out and controlled the game in the latter stages.

The home side did well to weather the Westland storm early in the second period but soon found themselves 2-0 up, when Balti got down the right-hand side, and crossed in and a mix-up resulted in an own-goal from Westland.

In the 60th minute, Ricky Lane won a penalty when he was taken out inside the box, but it was saved by the Westland goalkeeper.

The away side were then boosted by the miss and began attacking a faltering Balti.

In the 75th minute, the Westland pressure told as a ball drilled across the box was hit in by Dwayne Forshaw.

Man of the match Preece hit the bar late on but it was backs-to-the-wall as Balti held on to end their season on a high.

Balti boss Marco Nott said: “I am delighted really, we finished the season quite strongly anyway but that result topped it off for us.

“It was a good way to end for us, it has been a tough season.

“Westland have knocked us out of both cups this year and beaten us in the league so we were really determined to make sure we beat them.”

Nott had special praise for Preece, as he said: “Oscar was outstanding. He was a target man and he caused their defence a lot of troubles, he won every header.”

Balti: A Nott, Pearce, Anderson, Roberts, Taylor, Dovell, Walker, Nichols, Lane (Houghton 60), Preece (Kenderdine 80), Andrews (Lock 70)

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