MERLEY COBHAM SPORTS 3

BALTI SPORTS 0

BALTI Sports endured a first-half horror show as they succumbed to a 3-0 loss at Merley Cobham Sports in the Dorset Premier League.

After just 31 minutes, Sports were 3-0 down thanks to a second-minute Alan Marsh goal and further strikes from Asa Phillips and Ben Satterley.

Chances were at a premium for Balti, whose best opportunity fell to striker Danny Andrews, but the diminutive forward could only pull his shot wide of goal.

Speaking to Echosport about the loss, Nott labelled Balti’s performance as “lethargic”.

He said: “We got caught cold and they punished us. It’s disappointing – we just didn’t get going.

“We’ve been depleted but we’re certainly not helping ourselves with some of the goals we’re conceding. We’re a match with every team we’ve played this season but we’re making stupid mistakes that seem to be costing us dear.

“We said that it was important to get out and start well but we didn’t seem to be at it. It was a real flat, lethargic display. They seemed sharper, fitter and wanted it more, which I can’t accept.”

Talking through a nightmare opening half, Nott criticised his side’s defending for each goal.

He said: “Their number seven ran the show for them and he nicked the ball in midfield and hit a lively through ball and we were caught flat footed. The lad’s ran through and put it away nicely.

“The second was from a corner and Andy (Nott, goalkeeper) should have dealt with it better, the lad headed it in on the line.

“Then we had a really good chance through Danny, it was a difficult shot but he dragged it wide.

“The third goal was their number seven, he ran straight through our midfield and defence and slotted it in. Everyone backed off and I bet he couldn’t believe his luck.”

He added: “We were certainly the better team in the second half. We put three in midfield and started winning midfield battles.

“Probably our main positive was Jack Taylor. He’s come to training and got stuck in. He played for 15 minutes, got on the ball and looked quite comfortable, so that was pleasing.”

The result leaves Balti with just three league away wins from 10 games. Nott’s men remain in eighth but could slip lower with several teams below them carrying games in hand within range of Sports’ points tally.

Balti next play Shaftesbury Town Reserves on Saturday (2pm).

Balti: A Nott, Batchelor (Lock 46), Burton, Proffitt, Pearce, Nichols, Kenderdine (J Taylor 75), Dovell, L Taylor (Roberts 60), Preece, Andrews. Sub not used: M Nott

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