Baltic's encouraging start to the season continued with a 5-1 demolition of Glendale at Trenham Drive. In previous seasons Baltic had been on the end of some hefty beatings from Glendale, but in truth, they could have scored many more with some far better finishing. Glendale had the better of the first 5 mins but slowly Baltic wrestled control which they would never relinquish. From Baltic's first corner in the 10th minute, Gordon Nolan swung in a delightful cross and Kieran Pettman finished with a thumping header. The game settled into a routine with Baltic playing the game in Glendale's half, closing down the space and forcing the hosts into misplaced passes. The second goal was worth waiting for. The tenacious Paul Courtman stole the ball from the increasingly frustrated Glendale centre midfielder and passed to Dave Barrett. He looked up and smashed a right foot effort over the keeper and into the back of the net from 30 yards, a fantastic effort and early contender for goal of the season. After Paul Courtman was cynically taken down on the edge of the area, Des Lindsay curled an effort round the wall and hit the keeper. From the rebound, from 1 yard out, Phil Broughton's header somehow hit the bar, when it was far easier to score. If Dave's strike was a goal of the season contender, Phil's effort has already won miss of the season, contest over. 2-0 at half time, but in truth, for Baltic's dominance, they should have had more.
The second half started scrappy, Glendale trying to force the game to get a foothold back in. However, Baltic's defence were dominant in the air and Glendale rarely threatened until the unluckiest of goals. A harmless cross was about to be claimed by Paul West, who had taken the gloves from Rhys Buckley at half time, only for it to hit the head of Dave Barrett and fly into the net. In previous seasons, Baltic would have been on the back foot, but not this year. A through ball was chased by Phil Broughton who was brought down in the area by former Baltic midfielder Glen. Dave Barrett stepped up to covert the retaken penalty for his fourth goal in two games. By this point Baltic were dominant and with 5 subs to choose from, were still playing at a high tempo. Two of the substitutes combined, Scott Poulier threading the ball to Les Corker who slalomed into the area, beating three men before notching number four and confirming the result was no longer in doubt. Another sub Adrian Bradley forced a good save from the keeper before Phil Broughton completed his day to forget with another bad miss. However, number five did arrive, Adrian completing the rout. Following a charge down the wing from the impressive Kyle, the ball was played into Adrian on the right hand side of the area and he opened his account for the season with a strike from the tightest of angles, demolition complete.
This was a complete team performance, solid at the back, tenacious in midfield and full of running up front. There will be harder examinations but Baltic remain unbeaten after the first two games.
