PORTLAND UNITED RESERVES 2

BALTI SPORTS 6

BALTI Sports maintained their impressive unbeaten record in the Dorset Premier League with a resounding 6-2 derby win over a youthful Portland United Reserves at the Weyline Stadium.

Sports have now taken six wins from 10 games to move into second in the table and, on the evidence of this performance, Marco Nott’s men are well worth their lofty position.

Balti took the lead when Josh Houghton was brought down for what seemed a soft penalty, Ricky Lane converting past goalkeeper Josh Franklin for 1-0.

Man-of-the-match Charlie Kenderdine, who shone in the Balti midfield, timed his run to perfection soon afterwards, dinking past Franklin from Danny Andrews’ cross for 2-0.

Seconds before half-time, the Blues had a goal ruled out for offside as Balti went into the break two goals to the good.

If Portland’s fortune had not deserted them in the first half, it certainly did in the second as Balti added a fortuitous third.

Kenderdine was the man to profit from a speculative drive which took a wicked deflection, deceiving Franklin and nestling into the net.

Sean Zima made it 4-0, smashing home at the near post, before the Blues, who fielded eight players 18 and under, worked their way back into the contest.

Tyler Butcher and Harry Hutchinson both scored in quick succession from corners to reduce the deficit to 4-2, but Zima’s pinpoint corner was headed home by Phil Anderson for 5-2.

Balti completed the scoring when Andrews tucked home via the post from substitute Jack Drummond’s cross.

Speaking to Echosport, Balti boss Nott praised the Portland groundsmen for getting the game on despite heavy rain.

He said: “It was brilliant, obviously another derby and another victory. Full credit to the Portland groundsmen because the pitch was unbelievable.

“You wouldn’t have thought it’d been raining, it was perfect. It had wetness on top and underneath it was solid. I don’t know what they use down there but it was in perfect condition. They’ve done a great job.”

He added: “We played really well. I thought we were pretty dominant throughout the whole game.

“We had a little 10-minute period before half-time and at the end of the game where we got a bit sloppy, but apart from that we dominated from the get go.

“It was a pretty convincing performance.

“Man-of-the-match was Charlie. We went 4-4-2 and him and Sammy Nichols in midfield were outstanding.

“They completely dominated and Charlie got two goals.”

In contrast, Blues’ reserves boss Chris Wilson felt the 6-2 scoreline was undeserved.

“Did we do enough to win it? Probably not. Did we deserve a 6-2? Definitely not,” he said.

“I don’t think that’s a fair reflection of the game. Credit to Balti, they had a lot more experience than us on the day.

“We had eight players 18 and under and it’s a great test for them to come up against the top sides in the DPL like Balti. Credit to them, they played well, but 6-2 was quite flattering.”

Balti next host Bournemouth Sports on Saturday (3pm), while Portland Reserves visit Sherborne Town Reserves in the Dorset Premier League Cup tomorrow (7.30pm).

Blues: Franklin, Camp, James, Anstey (Hankin 60), T Butcher (Grace 80), Hutchinson, Carter, E Roche, S Roche, Wilson, Tennant (Ryan 70)

Balti: A Nott, Pearce (Drummond 60), Anderson, S Walker, Taylor, Andrews, Kenderdine, Nichols, Zima, Lane (Burton 70), Houghton (O’Shaughnessy 60). Sub not used: Innes

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