Baltic Vets and Glendale produced a local derby goal fest at Trenham drive on a sunny Sunday in Warlingham with the hosts running out 6-4 winners.
The visitors, fresh from their victory over Sutton the previous week started the game strongly and were two goals to the good inside 20 minutes. First, man of the match Scott Poulier drove from the midfield unchallenged before releasing a piledriver on the edge of the box that flew past the despairing dive of the Glendale keeper and nestled in the bottom corner. Shortly after Phil Broughton flicked a deft header past the keeper after an Aaron Woolhouse freekick had found him in space in the box. Baltic continued in the ascendancy, Phil Solomon on striker duties, shooting into the side netting.
However, the game turned on its head ten minutes before half time. In a carbon copy of the previous week, Glendale were thrown a lifeline when poor defending allowed their livewire striker to reduce the deficit. The warning signs continued as Karl Woolhouse produced two magnificent diving saves to keep out a decent drive and powerful header from a corner. Another Glendale attack led to a heroic sliding clearance off the line from the senior Woolhouse, Aaron. However, the visitors couldn't hold out to half time as the hosts dominance finally paid off and the teams headed to the break all square.
The second half continued as the first half had ended with Baltic struggling to match their hosts renewed energy and it was no surprise when the Glendale striker added two further strikes in quick succession. However, Baltic have no shortage of heart and clawed their way back midway through the half. First Des Lindsay dispatched a well taken penalty (makes up for the one that is still on its way to the moon when playing in Eastbourne) to reduce the deficit. Soon after, Baltic put together a great team move with link up play from Kevin Day and Russell. The ball found its way to Phil Broughton who crossed low for Scott Poulier to slot past the keeper from the edge of the six yard box for his second of the game.
Baltic had a renewed purpose and should have taken the lead twice through Russell who had acres of room on the left. The first chance saw him easily beat the Glendale right back and with far too much time and space he opted to shoot when a pull back would have been a better option. Soon after a fantastic cross found him in acres of space at the back post. A powerful header towards goal would surely have found its way into the net but somehow he contrived to miss the main part of his head and the ball flicked off the top and out of danger to the relief of the Glendale defence.
However, the Baltic momentum was swiftly halted as Glendale retook the lead soon after and then extended to two with ten minutes remaining and this time Baltic did not have enough energy in the legs left on a pitch which could have done with a grass cut.
Although Glendale were worthy winners due to their superior fitness, Baltic can feel disappointed that they weren't able to at least draw a game they had their chances in.
