On a huge pitch, especially for a first game of the season, Baltic battled back admirably scoring three late goals to draw a cracking game 5-5. A slow start from the visitors let in Sutton to score an opening goal. However, soon after the restart Baltic began to attack, knocking it about nicely in the final third and creating a few chances. Baltic were level around the 10th minute when a cross from Chris Acquah was left by the defender, expecting the keeper to collect and Phil Broughton nipped in front to score. However, Baltic did not heed the warning of Sutton's attacking prowess and soon after the restart further good work on the flanks left the big man to power a header into the corner. Things went from bad to worse when Sutton scored a third. Baltic's heads never went down and from one attack from the visitors, Des Lindsay played a perfectly weighted first time ball through the defence for Phil Broughton to run onto. After outpacing the defence (yes this is true), he calmly slotted it through the keepers legs for his second of the game. However, once again after battling back into the game, Sutton, whose tricky left winger (i don't score the goals, i set you lot up) pulled the ball across for a simple tap in to go 4-2 before half time. During the break Baltic changed things around with Riccardo taking the gloves, Chris moving to centre back, Kev back to his preferred position on the wing and Tony up front. Although Sutton scored a fifth soon after half time, Baltic looked more balanced and were enjoying good possession. The game began opening up and tiredness on such a big pitch started creeping in. Around the 70th minute, Tony whose pace was frightening the defenders got in behind only to be fouled on the edge of the area, just left of centre. In any competitive game, the defender would have got a straight red. Dave Barrett stepped up and curled a sublime effort into the top corner, the minute he left his boot, everyone knew it was in. Baltic had their tails up and straight from the restart, won the ball back and knocked it forward for Scott McVeigh to chase. He got pushed off the ball in the area and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty despite the home sides protests. Full of confidence, Dave Barrett stepped up to calmly sidefoot the ball into the corner. Game on! Baltic continued to push for a deserved equaliser but the biggest turning point in a game full of them happened with 8 minutes remaining. The Sutton left winger who doesn't score goals went through one on one, all he needed to do was hit the target and from 5 yards out, completely missed. Things went from bad to worse for the hosts 5 minutes from time, Sutton's best player pulled his hamstring and had to be replaced. The belief drained out of the home side and Baltic were camped in the Sutton half. The visitors won a corner in the 88th minute, Dave Barrett crossing a deep ball over to the back post which was missed by all the defenders and Phil Broughton was on hand to volley home. Had the game lasted another ten minutes, Baltic would have won. Baltic can be very proud of their battling qualities and overhearing Sutton's end of game team talk, their gaffer summed it up with 'in the second half, they tore us a new one'! A great draw that sets Baltic up for the season
