HOLT UNITED 2

BALTI SPORTS 3

BALTI Sports returned to winning ways with a welcome 3-2 victory at bogey team Holt United in the Dorset Premier League.

Taking three points at the Bulls ensured Balti bounced back from last week’s horror 10-3 loss to Merley at the first time of asking.

Played in soggy conditions, with a howling wind, Balti enjoyed a dream first half as the Weymouth side earned a 3-0 half-time lead.

Both teams saw creditable penalty appeals turned down at 0-0 before Balti’s Matt Burrows was tripped in the box when attempting to connect with Scott Walker’s cross.

Burrows picked himself up to slot the resultant spot-kick into the left-hand corner for 1-0.

In-form Jack Drummond then notched his fifth and sixth goals of the season to put Balti in command.

His first came from a clever lobbed header 18 yards out before he bagged a second from a narrow angle after pressuring the Holt defence into hesitating on the ball, nipping in to score.

After the break, Balti switched off from a long ball allowing Ali Garard to slot home before Burrows nearly made it 4-1 only to steer his finish wide.

Holt’s second came from a corner as Sam Lench set up a grandstand finish in appalling weather.

With Holt piling on the pressure for an equaliser, Balti keeper Andy Nott excelled to deny two gilt-edged chances, first making a solid block with his feet before a superb tip over the bar.

Defender Lloyd Beals also chipped in, making a brilliant last-ditch tackle, but Holt could still have pinched a late point when a free header ballooned over the bar as Balti held on for victory.

Speaking to Echosport, Balti boss Marco Nott was elated to have put past troubles against the Bulls to bed.

He said: “It was a fantastic win, I was delighted with the response after the manner of the defeat last week.

“To beat a strong Holt side at their place in tough conditions, I’m absolutely delighted.

“Having our spine back it gives you a bit of hope. Holt has been a bogey place for us, we very rarerly beat them home or away. To beat them at their place was very satisfying.

“First half we were against the wind and were absolutely outstanding, we played some really good stuff.

“They did put pressure on at corners but we dealt with them really well. We had an experienced back four and that showed a lot. Then, going forward we were clinical.”

Balti: A Nott, S Walker, Beals, Anderson, L Taylor, Nichols, McClements, Devaney, Burrows (O’Shaughnessy 60), Lane (J Taylor 80), Drummond (Stavrianos 70).

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