SHAFTESBURY TOWN RESERVES 1

BALTI SPORTS 1

DEPLETED Balti Sports recorded a 1-1 draw at Shaftesbury Town Reserves amid foggy conditions in the Dorset Premier League clash at Cockrams.

Sports were only able to name 11 players for the clash in north Dorset but battled away despite missing a host of key men.

Sammy Nichols was the creator as Balti took a first-half lead in injury-time, dribbling through the Rockies’ middle and sliding striker Danny Andrews in clean through.

Andrews was initially one-on-one with the home keeper until a covering defender scrambled back, but the tricky Andrews was able to turn his man and fire into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Shaftesbury applied some pressure in the second half, chipping several free-kicks into dangerous areas, and duly equalised from a set-piece on 70 minutes.

A free-kick from the halfway line forced a miscommunication in the visitors’ rearguard as goalkeeper Andy Nott elected not to claim the ball and the covering Balti defence diverted the ball into their own net.

Ryan Dovell spurned a one-on-one chance as the hosts’ keeper made a solid stop before Danny Andrews also squandered a clean through opportunity, his lob landing over the crossbar.

But Shaftesbury held on for a draw and Balti boss Marco Nott described picking up a point as a fair result.

He told Echosport: “It was very tough conditions, the fog was quite deep and it was a difficult pitch to play on.

“The lads gave absolutely everything and we couldn’t criticise them at all. The quality clearly wasn’t there but we had umpteen quality players missing.

“It was just a case a battling and trying to get a result. To come out with a draw we’re quite happy with it – I think a draw’s a fair result.”

Nott reserved plaudits for 16-year-old Josh Hickman, who enjoyed a solid debut for the Weymouth-based outfit.

He said: “He’s a reserve player and he’s only a 16-year-old, he’s never played at that level before.

“He got called upon an hour before we were meeting to go to Shaftesbury and he played left-back for 90 minutes.

“He didn’t put a foot wrong and did really well for his debut. We’re just really happy he had a good game.

“As a 16-year-old, it was probably a bit daunting but he had a good game.”

Balti journey to leaders Hamworthy Recreation on Saturday (2pm) having beaten the champions 2-1 two games ago.

Balti: A Nott, R Walker, Dovell, L Taylor, Hickman, S Zima, Nichols, McClements, Dean, Lock, Andrews.

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