BRIDPORT RESERVES 0

BALTI SPORTS 2

BALTI Sports manager Marco Nott admits his side cannot afford to let their “foot off the gas” when they entertain Blandford United at Weymouth College in the Dorset Premier League tomorrow (3pm).

Unbeaten league leaders Sports have been in excellent form, winning five of their six games, but Nott is wary of the threat Blandford pose having lost at home to them last season.

He told Echosport: “We’re certainly playing well at the moment and have got good momentum. It won’t be easy, they beat us at home last year. We’re in for a tough game but if we continue the way we’re playing there’s no reason we can’t get three points.

“We can’t let our foot off the gas.”

Ryan Dovell returns for Sports after an achilles injury, but Sammy Nichols, Ethan Devaney and Simon Proffitt are set to miss out.

Balti warmed up for their match against Blandford with a hard-fought 2-0 win at St Mary’s Field over ten-man Bridport Reserves.

It took until the 80th minute for Balti to break the deadlock, with Devaney smacking a volley into the top corner, before Danny Andrews pounced on a parry by Bridport keeper Liam Norris to wrap up the points.

Nott believed his side were “never going to score” despite a barrage of second half attacks.

“We played well but just couldn’t get the goal. At half-time it was 0-0 and we were a little frustrated with our play as well and didn’t get the rewards for it.

“We were a little heated but once we got out in the second half we were fine.

“There was a leaning together of heads on the hour and their lad got sent off for it. It was pretty forceful. From then on we were absolutely camped in their half,” he said.

“Their keeper made some brilliant saves and I never thought it was going to happen. It was attack after attack. It just felt like we were never going to score.

“Out of nowhere Ethan Devaney with his weaker foot volleyed it in off the bar, it was a hell of a goal and we were pretty relieved. He’s got five goals from central midfield already.

“We kept possession and we got the second goal in the 90th minute. Their keeper made a good save but it fell to Danny Andrews,” he added.

Balti: A Nott, Batchelor, Burton, Anderson, Proffitt (Taylor 80), Nichols, Zima (Lock 70), Kenderdine, Devaney, Andrews, Preece (Lane 60). Subs not used: M Nott

n Chickerell United begin their Dorset Senior League campaign at home to Portland United Reserves, while Dorchester Sports host Hamworthy Rec.

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