BALTI SPORTS 2

HAMWORTHY REC 1

BALTI Sports recorded a memorable 2-1 victory over Dorset Premier League champions and current leaders Hamworthy Recreation at Weymouth College.

Marco Nott’s men earned revenge for 5-3 and 3-1 losses at the hands of the class team of the division, who now see their lead at the summit cut to two points from Westland Sports.

Balti, who have cemented their place in fourth, delivered a superb defensive performance, although the result seemed unlikely after the Weymouth-based outfit trailed at the break.

Former Bournemouth and Dorchester Town midfielder George Webb capitalised on a rare amount of space afforded to him on the edge of the box before lashing home to lethal effect into the bottom corner.

Balti were always a threat on the counter-attack and were rewarded for their energetic display with an equalising goal.

Ethan Devaney and Sammy Nichols shared a one-two before finding Ricky Lane, the striker curling an effortless shot into the net from the edge of the area.

Short afterwards, Balti were deservedly ahead following a frantic passage of play.

Nichols somehow contrived to miss a clear-cut chance from two yards but chased the ball down and crossed for new signing Sean Zima to thump a header against the bar.

Carl McClements then stole in to nod the rebound past the visiting goalkeeper and seal the win.

Speaking to Echosport, Nott spoke highly of his team’s endeavours in defeating the league leaders.

He said: “It was a real battle, they’re a really good side and have a lot of quality on the ball. Their one-touch passing was superb.

“It was quite an even match throughout but I felt we wanted it a bit more at the end. We were really solid as a group, which is a real compliment because they’ve been scoring goals for fun.

“The way we set up was very well-organised and the lads played it to a tee. They were absolutely magnificent, every single one of them. They had a lot of quality but I felt we were always dangerous.”

Nott reserved special praise for McClements, with the midfielder an ever-present in Balti’s current run of six games unbeaten, and goalkeeper Andy Nott.

“He thoroughly deserved to get the winner because he’s been outstanding for weeks and weeks,” said Nott.

“He’s so consistent, so solid, and wins every single battle. His performances have been the best since he’s been at the club.

“He’s got his position there in centre-midfield and he does his job so well. The last game we lost he wasn’t there, so he’s a really important player to us.

“He’s a goalscorer anyway and plays centre-midfield now. For him to get that winner in a big game, his performance deserved it.”

On brother Nott, the boss added: “He gets a bit of stick but he’s really worked hard in training for weeks with a goalkeeper coach.

“His performance was up there for man-of-the-match, he controlled his area so well and won a lot of 50/50s.

“He was brave and caught everything he had to catch. He gave the lads a lot of confidence from the start, he was right on it.

“He’s been in good form but that game, particularly, shows how far he’s come this season.”

Balti: A Nott, R Walker, S Walker, Dovell, L Taylor, Nichols, Kenderdine, McClements, Devaney (O’Shaughnessy 85), S Zima (Andrews 70), Lane (Dean 80)