BALTI HOUSE 6 SOUTH CHERITON UNITED 1

BALTI boss Marco Nott had every reason to be pleased after his side blew away South Cheriton and Chickerell were thrashed on their own turf.

Nott’s men are now six points clear of the Chickens at the top of the Dorset Senior League, and the weekend’s results also did wonders for Balti’s goal difference.

South Cheriton could still overtake Balti if they win their three games in hand, though the two teams have to play each other again this season.

Striker Grant Chance was the hosts’ hero at Cranford Avenue last Saturday, netting five of his side’s six goals, with Ethan Devaney getting the other.

The visitors’ hopes were all but over when they were reduced to 10 men after Devaney had made it 4-1 from the spot.

“It all went our way really,” said Nott. “To get a 10-goal swing between us and Chickerell was a big surprise.

“It was definitely a surprise to hear Chickerell had lost 5-0 and I didn’t think we would beat South Cheriton so comfortably.”

He added: “We played with the wind in the first half and made the most of it.

“They came at us in the second half but that played into our hands.

“Grant Chance ended up with five goals and he was at his clinical best on the day. He is one of the best strikers in the league and I was really pleased for him.

“Tom Grattidge also had a good game and Lewis Ironside came on for his debut as well.

“The lads are buzzing at the moment.”

Josh Houghton created the opening goal for Chance with a cross from the left which the striker volleyed into the bottom corner.

A ball over the top set Chance away for him to score his second, before the visitors pulled one back to make it 2-1.

However, Balti added a third prior to the break when Chance fired into the top corner for his hat-trick after the United defence made the mistake of backing off him.

A handball by a visiting defender in his own box gave Dev- aney the chance to grab a fourth, and after continuing to remonstrate with the referee over his decision to award the spot-kick, the United man was sent off.

Chance then netted his fourth and fifth goals to wrap up the points.

Balti: Nott, R Walker, Grattidge, S Walker, Houghton, Lane (Ironside), Litherland, Kenderdine (Lock), Devaney (Dean), McClements, Chance