DORCHESTER SPORTS 1

BALTI SPORTS 0

DORCHESTER Sports edged rivals Balti Sports 1-0 at the Avenue Stadium to claim a first victory of the new DPL Supplementary Cup.

With both sides losing their opening Group B games, the stakes were high with bragging rights also on the line.

Balti started rapidly and hit the post through striker Sanchez Baker in the first minute.

But the hosts took the lead when Jamie Symes deftly nodded a Darren Watts ball across goal for Gareth Will to bury a finish from six yards.

Dorchester Sports dominated the next 10 minutes but Balti then came back when Ryan Dovell snaked into the box and fired over before Matty Burrows cracked a shot against the post.

Balti continued their open approach in the second half when Baker was denied by an agile save from home keeper Antony Frost and Burrows aimed a volley over as chances came and went.

As Balti pushed for an equaliser, Dorchester Sports had chances on the counter as Symes and Alex Godfrey both blazed over late on.

In the end, the hosts took the Sports derby honours to claim a much-needed tonic after their 5-1 loss at Bridport Reserves on Saturday.

Speaking to Echosport, home boss Ashley James said: “It was pretty end-to-end, a really good game.

“Both teams gave absolutely everything to the last minute. There were some tired legs out there.

“They could easily have got an equaliser and we could easily have got the second goal – it was one of those games. We’re delighted with the win.

“I thought we played well, kept the ball well and we’re good at home. We did enough to win the game, defended for our lives and got the win.”

Opposing manager Marco Nott said: “I was really pleased with the performance. I know you don’t want to lose the derby, but I’m really encouraged by the performance of the team.

“It’s something to build on and take into next season, because there’s a lot of good stuff I’ve seen in the last couple of games.

“It’s encouraging and the team looks in good shape.

“We did struggle in the first 20 minutes, we went direct and loose.

“Dorch Sports got their goal and were quite commanding. They sat back and let us get into the game. We started getting our passes together and looked good – we just couldn’t get that goal.

“I went home quite positive about the game, I’m proud of the way we’re playing at the moment.”

Dorch Sports: Frost, Clarke, Smith, Bessant, Anstey, Samways (J Steele 65), Watts, O Peart (Rawlings 60), G Will (Lewis 80), Symes (Leake 75), Godfrey. Sub not used: West.

Balti: A Nott, Zima, Walker, Beals, O’Shaughnessy, McClements (Houghton 75), Dovell, Devaney, Andrews (Stavrianos 55), Baker, Burrows. Subs not used: M Nott, Grace, Taylor.

Balti man of the match: Lloyd Beals.

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