ALLENDALE 0 BALTI SPORTS 2

BALTI Sports got back to winning ways after their hiding by Hamworthy Recreation as they secured a Dorset Senior Trophy success at Bournemouth League outfit Allendale.

Marco Nott’s men will now travel to either Westland Sports Reserves or Piddletrenthide Spartans in the second round of the competition on November 7.

In-form Ricky Lane claimed both of Balti’s goals on Saturday, while boss Nott was delighted with a clean sheet and the return from injury of midfielder Lewis Ironside.

“It was quite a gritty performance from us and it wasn’t pretty at times,” said the Balti chief.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game but it was a good win away from home and came at a great time for us after losing 5-0 to Ham Rec the week before.

“Keeping a clean sheet was massive after the last game and I managed to give a couple of lads who have been on the bench this season a good run out.

“One massive plus was the return of Lewis Ironside. Seeing him back fit was probably the biggest positive to come from the game.

“He damaged ankle ligaments in the summer and had no preseason.

He only started training again two or three weeks ago and we’d pencilled in this cup game for him to come back.”

Balti, leaders of the Dorset Premier League, created a few halfchances in the first period but couldn’t find a way through the hosts’ defence.

However, with around an hour on the clock, Sammy Nichols pulled the ball back to Lane on the penalty spot and he did the rest to make it 1-0.

The hosts pushed hard for an equaliser but Sports’ keeper Andy Nott earned his stripes with a couple of superb saves to preserve Balti’s lead.

Danny Andrews then came off the bench and made an impact for the visitors, his late effort deflecting off Lane for the goal that clinched the win for Balti.

“There is no reason why we can’t win this cup,” added Marco Nott. “We are up there as one of the better teams in the competition.

“We haven’t really had a good cup run over the last five years so it would be great if we could have one this season.”

Balti: A Nott, Batchelor, Burton, Anderson, Dean (Pearce), Nicholls, Litherland, Ironside (Andrews), Proffitt (Lock), May, Lane.