SHERBORNE TOWN RES 2

BALTI SPORTS 3

BALTI Sports endured a “mad” final 15 minutes to emerge victorious in their 3-2 victory at Sherborne Town Reserves, with 16-year old Stef Stavrianos scoring a brilliant goal to seal the points.

The result sees Balti up to third in the table, 12 games unbeaten, just a point behind second place Westland Sports who have a game in hand on the Weymouth outfit.

The first half was a tight affair, as both sides struggled to create a breakthrough and the two sides were deadlocked after the uneventful first period.

However, a breathtaking second half ended with Balti claiming the three points.

Balti opened the scoring after 55 minutes, after securing a corner.

Ricky Lane put a great ball in and Matt Roberts gambled on the near post and it came off thanks to a fantastic headed effort as Roberts secured his first goal of the season.

However, the lead did not last long, when Sherborne scored from a long ball over the top that was slotted past Balti goalkeeper Andy Nott after 65 minutes.

With 15 minutes to go the game burst into life, Charlie Kenderdine passed the ball to Balti substitute Jack Drummond, who fired in a tame shot that trickled under the goalkeeper.

Stavrianos, who has been playing for the Balti Reserves, then scored a wonderful goal, easing past a challenge before going through one-on-one to finish.

However, Sherborne had one last sting in the tail as they scored immediately from the restart.

The Zebras got down the right-hand side, before cutting back and firing into the net from the penalty spot.

However, Balti held on to the victory and keeps their unbeaten run going, now extended to a dozen games without defeat.

Balti boss Marco Nott said: “It was a fantastic night really.

“It was a great performance. It was quite a cagey first half, it was a bit of a boxing match. We went toe-to-toe and nothing really happened. It was very even and very tight and then the second half just opened up and it was a different story really.

“It was 1-1 with 15 minutes to go and the game just went a bit mad, really.

Talking about Roberts’ goal, Nott said: “I am pleased for him because he has been very good for us this season.

“It was an unbelievable goal, everyone was delighted for him.”

Balti travel to Portland United Reserves in the first round of the Dorset Premier League Cup on Wednesday (7.45pm).

Balti: A Nott, Walker, Burton, Roberts, O’Shaughnessy, Devaney (Stavrianos 75), Kenderdine, Dovell, Smith, McClements (Dean 60), Lane (Drummond 70) Subs not used: M Nott

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