BALTI SPORTS 4

BRIDPORT RESERVES 2

BALTI Sports weighed in with four goals to defeat Bridport Reserves 4-2 and move into fifth in the Dorset Premier League.

Marco Nott’s Sports had tasted a 2-1 defeat to table-toppers Westland Sports last time out, but responded in potent fashion at Weymouth College.

Sean Zima put Balti into the lead with a sweet strike from 25 yards before Christian Blango nipped in front of his marker to equalise for the Bees.

Balti regained the lead when Zima slammed home first time with his left foot from 18 yards after good work from striker Danny Andrews.

Sanchez Baker missed chances to double Balti’s lead but despite not being at their fluent best, Balti went into the break 3-1 up.

Emerging wing talent Matt Burrows ran through and was fouled in the box, leading to the lethal Andrews to convert the penalty.

Baker finally got the goal his excellent performance warranted when he slotted home a one-on-one chance for 4-1.

Bridport’s youngsters continued to press on and netted a deserved second.

Richard Harvey reacted quickest to a free-kick which cannoned off the post to volley a sublime finish from an acute angle past Andy Nott.

Richard Middleton’s men did pressurise Balti in the latter stages with a series of free-kicks, only for the home defence to hold firm and see out the victory.

Speaking to Echosport, boss Marco Nott was delighted to exact revenge following two straight home losses to the Bees.

He said: “To get the three points was good after they beat us the last two times at our place.

“It was nice to get that revenge. Our performance wasn’t great, certainly first half we were a bit sloppy and very lethargic, almost going through the motions.

“The second half was better for the first half hour of the half, we just ducked our luck a little bit and rode out pressure, but we dealt with it pretty well. It was a reasonably comfortable victory.”

Nott also reserved praise for the returning Baker, adding: “His physical presence up top – he was outstanding.

“As a big striker he backs into the defenders and they just can’t get the ball off him.

“We had runners off him so it worked really well and it was good to see him get a goal.”

Balti visit Wareham Rangers on Saturday (3pm).

Meanwhile, Balti Sports’ veterans opened their season with an 8-0 win over Chickerell United veterans.

Balti: A Nott, Beals, Anderson, Walker, O’Shaughnessy, McClements, S Zima, Stavrianos, Andrews (Drummond 70), Baker (Dovell 80), Burrows (Lane 70).

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