BALTI SPORTS 0

WESTLAND SPORTS 0

BALTI Sports picked up a valuable point from their encounter with Westland Sports as the two sides fought out a 0-0 stalemate in the Dorset Premier League at Weymouth College.

Balti retained their lofty position of third after the result and will be encouraged by a solid display against Westland, who occupy a misleading perch of sixth.

The Yeovil-based side have won nine of their 12 league games this season and sit just five points behind Gillingham in second, holding four games in hand.

A nip-and-tuck first half failed to create a chance of note but Westland fired wide in the second half as sub keeper and Balti boss Marco Nott, negated a one-on-one situation.

Westland’s wayward attack continued in the same vain, spearing two more opportunities wide, before Balti regrouped and saw Carl McClements rifle a long-range effort inches past the Westland uprights.

Balti striker Danny Andrews came closest of all to scoring when his deft header bounced off the inside of the post and fell into the grateful arms of the visiting keeper.

Speaking to Echosport, Nott believes the point earned was a good result.

He said: “They were a good side and it’s a good point which we’ll take.

“Both teams haven’t played for a long time and it was always going to be a scrappy affair. It was a good, solid point for us and a clean sheet against one of the top four in the league was pleasing.

“We went away quite happy with a point and it was probably a fair result.”

Nott also reserved praise for midfielder Ryan Dovell and young left-back Liam O’Shaughnessy.

He said: “Ryan was outstanding in the middle, so dominant and won pretty much every header. He really was the engine in midfield.

“It’s so good having him back. His experience and leadership in big games is outstanding.

“Also Liam has come in because we’re giving the youngsters a go. He’s taken that position up and been outstanding.

“He was superb against a top team and I don’t think he got beaten once down that left-hand side. His energy and tackling was superb – he’s been really good for us.”

Balti visit leaders Hamworthy Rec, who have won 11 of 11 league games, on Saturday (2pm).

Balti: A Nott (M Nott 50), O’Shaughnessy, S Walker, Anderson, Curran, Devaney, Dovell, McClements (Burton 80), Kenderdine, Drummond (Andrews 70), Lane. Sub not used: Taylor

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