STC vs Baltic Vets FC
1 - 1
24 February 2019
Away friendly match played on 24 February 2019.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
1-1
vs STC
Away friendly match
Baltic contributed to a hard fought draw with STC on a bobbly pitch in Eltham.
The hosts are known to get stuck in and this game was no different, as Scott Poulier was regularly clattered into with the usual 'that was a dive'!
Baltic started the game fast and in truth, the contest should have been ended in the first half hour, the visitors guilty of not taking their chances.
Baltic should have taken the lead inside ten minutes. Scott Poulier was taken out in the box with Adrian Bradley sweeping home the loose ball. After some confusion, the referee decided the goal should be disallowed due to offside but gave a penalty for the foul. Up stepped Phil Broughton but his effort hit the post and wouldn't fall to a white shirt for the rebound. However, within 5 minutes the away side were deservedly in front with Adrian Bradley converting from close range after good work from Scott.
Scott McVeigh was getting a lot of joy down the right wing and his pull back was air kicked by Broughton, running to Bradley whose low shot was well saved by the keeper.
Bradley was causing the STC defence plenty of problems and another twisting and turning run saw him squeezed out when about to pull the trigger. A succession of Baltic corners were also cleared fairly easily by the physical STC defence.
However, with Baltic failing to increase their lead, it was almost inevitable the hosts would level the game. A long ball forward was well volleyed into the net on the swivel by the big meathead striker.
The second half was a much closer affair with both teams cancelling each other out and very few chances created. A notable mention must go to the Baltic defence. Arron Watmore, playing as sweeper provided a calm head and Paul West's tackle towards the end of the game that ended with him banging his shoulder on a concrete block was complimented by both teams. Woolhouse Junior's pinpoint kicking was also a good outlet.
Although Baltic will rue the missed chances of the first half, a draw was probably a fair result with both teams knowing they were in a game.