WAREHAM RANGERS 1

BALTI SPORTS 4

BALTI Sports delivered a commanding display at Wareham Rangers to win 4-1 in the Dorset Senior Trophy and extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.

On an uneven playing surface and gusty conditions, Balti resorted to a more direct style of play but the change failed to hinder Marco Nott’s men as Danny Andrews fired home from 12 yards.

Wareham did equalise when Sam Lench latched on to a through ball before beating goalkeeper Andy Nott at his near post.

It was left to Balti’s Josh Burton to restore the one-goal advantage, the defender taking a touch before smacking his finish into the bottom corner.

Thereafter it was the Andrews show as the livewire striker completed a deserved hat-trick.

His second came from an enterprising run in which he beat two Wareham defenders before claiming his treble with a clinical finish from a one-on-one chance.

Victory ensures Dorchester Sports remain the last team to beat Balti, when Ashley James’ men took a 3-0 win at the Clayson Stadium in mid-August.

Speaking to Echosport following the triumph, boss Marco Nott labelled the contest as “scrappy” due to the elements.

He said: “It was a scrappy game, the pitch was poor and the conditions were windy. We couldn’t play the way we normally play but we scrapped it out and we’re unbeaten in 10 now.

“We’ve had a few disappointing draws but unbeaten in 10 is pretty good.”

Commenting on the contribution from Andrews, Nott praised the striker for his diligence and hoped his trio of goals would build the marksman’s confidence.

He said: “It was good for him, he’s a terrific goalscorer. To see him get back in the goals is great. He’s been brilliant for three years and a consistent goalscorer.

“You’re going to get hard work and he normally gets 30 goals a season. He’s been very down on his performances, so for him to get a hat-trick hopefully will boost his performance.”

Balti have now been drawn against Wimborne Academy in the second round, but Nott felt the early kick-off may hamper his charges.

He said: “It was pleasing to get through and we’ve got Wimborne Academy – I don’t know anything about them.

“Being 1.30pm away it’s going to be difficult to get a lot of our lads to the game.”

n Balti Sports Reserves beat Blandford Reserves 3-1 at Weymouth College thanks to goals from Tom Arliss, Greg Collins and Jack Drummond.

Balti: A Nott (M Nott 80), Walker, Burton, Roberts, L Taylor, Devaney, Kenderdine, McClements, Preece (Proffitt 60), Hicks (Dovell 10), Andrews. Subs not used: Gregg

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