STURMINSTER MARSHALL 1

BALTI SPORTS 2

BALTI Sports avoided a shock at Sturminster Marshall as wasted chances nearly caught up with them during a 2-1 Dorset Premier League win.

Coming into the game, a youthful Stur side were bottom of the 17 teams and pointless in five games together with a minus-31 goal difference.

However, they acquitted themselves superbly with a much-improved display and perhaps should have scored only to miss three one-on-one chances.

The best of which fell to Dylan Collins, who failed to hit the target under pressure from Sports’ keeper Harrison Wallis.

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Balti had a host of opportunities themselves, Jack Summers firing wide and Danny Andrews blasting over.

Louis Gear was twice denied by the Marsh keeper, who later pushed clear a stinging 30-yard free-kick from Stef Stavrianos.

Following a frantic first half, Balti continued to spurn chances as Summers missed a header from point-blank range at the back post and the superb Gear was defied twice more by the home keeper.

Sami Nichols headed a fourth chance of the second half over but Balti were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Andrews made a good run across the front post to head home a corner.

However, Stur drew level in fortuitous circumstances when new signing Zach Foote’s shot rebounded off James Hansford and allowed Joe Baynham the simple task of finishing from close range.

With time ticking down, Balti left it until the 80th minute to net the winner as ex-Bridport man Gear lured the keeper out and finished from a narrow angle into the far corner.

Balti had further chances to stretch their lead but ultimately came out on top in a challenging contest, avoiding the banana skin of losing to the league’s bottom side.

Speaking to Echosport, Balti manager Marco Nott said: “It was a frustrating game, it could’ve been about 5-5 in the first half.

“Second half we were a lot better but the amount of missed chances was unbelievable. How it only ended 2-1 I do not know.

“You could see at half-time that it just wasn’t going to be. We missed so many chances, got in at 0-0 and said to just try and get out with a win.

“We didn’t want to be the first team they took points off. Credit to the lads, they stuck at it.

“They had about two or three one-on-ones that they should’ve scored, to be honest. Equally, we should’ve also scored a lot more.”

Balti host Bournemouth Sports in league action on Saturday (3pm).

Balti: Wallis, Allison, Hawker, Hansford, Rupp, Samways (Starr 80), Nichols, Stavrianos (Rawlings 70), Summers (Batchelor 70), Gear, Andrews (Chambers 70). Sub not used: Mutch.