SHERBORNE TOWN RES 1

BALTI SPORTS 2

BALTI boss Marco Nott described his side’s return to winning ways as a “big relief” as they did enough to overcome struggling Sherborne Town Reserves.

Having gone into the game with only 11 regular players to choose from with only the manager taking a spot on the bench, the league leaders put an end to a run of four games without a win.

And Nott was left feeling positive about the performance, in which he felt he could see some improvement.

He told Echosport: “We played much better football and it was a good win.

“We still have a long way to go yet but it was certainly pleasing to get the three points and a big relief, that’s for sure.

“The pleasing thing was that guys like Liam Taylor and Matt Roberts (who both played 90 minutes), they really haven’t had much football at all and have been very professional.

“They have sat on the bench or been with the reserves week in, week out, which is probably not fair on them because they played brilliantly.

“They have been really patient, waited for their chance and they took it. Both of them played really well.”

Balti opened the scoring in the second half when a long ball was punched by the Zebras’ keeper and fell for Ethan Devaney, who took it round the stopper and slotted home.

It only took Sherborne five minutes to respond as Christopher Gray levelled things up after a defensive error from the visitors but they found their winner through one of their most clinical marksmen.

A ball from Oscar Preece was swung in from the right and found Ricky Lane, who netted what proved to be the decisive goal.

Not added: “It was a good performance really. You could still tell that we lacked a bit of confidence and, when it was 0-0 at half-time, you could see it was crucial that we got the first goal.

“We played some good football from the back, which we have been missing recently.”

The result means Balti remain two points clear at the top of the Dorset Premier League but have played four games more than second-placed Holt United.

Holt sealed a 3-1 win at Sturminster Newton to keep their title tilt on track at the weekend.

Balti: A Nott, Taylor, Burton, Anderson, Pearce, Zima, Roberts, Kenderdine, Preece, Devaney, Lane. Sub not used: M Nott