BALTI SPORTS 3

BRIDPORT RESERVES 3

BALTI Sports were left shellshocked at the final whistle as Bridport Reserves battled back to draw 3-3 at Weymouth College after being 3-1 down with eight minutes to go.

Marco Nott’s Balti side have delivered three excellent performances in the new DPL Supplementary Cup but have taken just one point in Group B so far.

While a lack of killer instinct up front could be blamed for previous defeats to Hamworthy Rec and Dorchester Sports, defensive mistakes hindered Balti this time.

Danny Andrews gave Balti the lead with a close-range header after 15 minutes before Sanchez Baker missed a one-on-one and Carl McClements rattled the post.

Bridport equalised against the run of play through striker Christian Blango, who rounded Andy Nott to score after intercepting Ethan Devaney’s stray pass.

Balti retook the lead before half-time with a fabulous 20-yard half volley from Jack Drummond.

Andrews then grabbed his second from the spot when he won and converted a penalty for 3-1.

With time ticking down the Bees – watched by first-team boss John Godbold – looked out of it but were handed a lifeline when the unmarked Antony Carlile buried a free header inside the box.

Stef Stavrianos hit the post for Balti who were punished when a recycled corner picked out unmarked youngster Harry Burwood at the back post to tap home for a share of the points.

Speaking to Echosport, Balti boss Marco Nott said: “Obviously, they were delighted and we were gutted.

“We should’ve won that game. That’s our problem, we’ve got to manage the game better.

“We had a chance to keep the ball in the corner but we end up crossing the ball and they go up the other end, win a corner and score.

“I can’t fault the lads, they’ve been out for a while and they’ve played some brilliant football in the last seven days.

“You could see there were a few leggy lads out there but just switching off at stupid times has cost us the three points, which is a blow.”

Balti host Dorchester Sports tomorrow (6.30pm) looking for payback after Wednesday’s 1-0 loss at the Avenue Stadium.

Nott said: “It’s always a big game. You don’t want to lose and we’re up for revenge, 100 per cent.

“We’re definitely trying to rectify last week’s result. The performance was good, it’s just getting over the line.

“At home we’ve got quite a good record against Dorch Sports.”

Balti: A Nott, Zima, Walker, Beals, O’Shaughnessy, McClements (Stewart 60), Devaney (Taylor 75), Andrews, Drummond (Nichols 60), Baker (Houghton 75), Stavrianos.

Bees: Adler, Blango, Carlile, Gear, Jarvis, Lawrence-Napier, Rupp, Rossiter, A Steele, Weedon, Wood. Subs: Burwood, Handyside, James.

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830999

e: neil.walton

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchoSportNeil