BALTI SPORTS 3 SHAFTESBURY TOWN 1

SHAFTESBURY saw their perfect start to the season go up in flames as Balti Sports came from behind to win at Cranford Avenue.

Manager Marco Nott’s men, who now have three victories out of four in the Dorset Premier League since their promotion from the Senior League last term, put in a stellar show that the Rockies seemed to have no answer for.

Balti did fall behind early however, and were on the back foot when former Dorchester Town man Jack Twyford opened the scoring for Shaftesbury.

After good work from Mali Benjamin, Twyford put the ball past player-manager Nott, who continued to deputise for brother Andy in the Balti goal.

But the hosts’ spirit shone through and, after missing an earlier chance, a moment of magic from Ricky Lane saw them draw level.

Lane showed great technique to loft the ball over the visiting keeper from all of 30 yards to make it 1-1.

Buoyed by their stunning equaliser, Nott’s troops pushed on and 10 minutes before the break John Litherland popped up after he was teed up by Lane to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

Shaftesbury continued to push as the sides entered the second period and Balti also continued to look a threat in what was an entertaining contest.

But Balti wrapped the contest up on the hour mark as former Weymouth Reserves’ man Sammy Nichols latched on to a through ball and struck an effort into the corner.

Manager Nott told Echosport: “They had won every game coming into it took a good crowd with them and a good squad.

“They really fancied it and, for us to put a performance like that, was so pleasing.

“We defended brilliantly all game and Ashley Batchelor was superb at right-back.

Commenting on that special strike from Lane, Nott added: “The way he put it in to make it 1-1, everyone was absolutely flying.

“It must be one of the goals of the season already. Ricky worked really hard up front all game and put in a great performance.”

Balti: M Nott, Pearce, Anderson, Burton, Batchelor, Devaney, May, Litherland, Nichols (Houghton), Kenderdine (Lock), Lane (Andrews). Sub not used: A Nott

Man of the match: Ricky Lane.

Nott’s men go into battle again tomorrow (7.45pm) when they take on Bridport Reserves at St Mary’s Field.