Chris Lepkowski match report: NK Varteks: 2 West Brom 2
Jul 18 2009
Hojski teased Leon Barnett by dragging the ball away from him twice. His eventual shot lacked any power and was easily gathered by Carson.
Albion's best opportunity of the opening 10 minutes came when Marek Cech sent over a left-wing cross which the unmarked Gianni Zuiverloon failed to bring under control.
They did stick the ball back into the back of the net when Chris Brunt collected Mulumbu's excellent cross ball. The Northern Ireland winger sent in a dipping in-swinger which was turned in by Craig Beattie - only for the linesman's flag to ruin the Scot's moment. But not for long, probably about 10 seconds.
The quickly taken 12th minute free-kick was a mess and allowed Cech and Beattie to chase down the ball as Nikola Tkalcic dithered over what to do. Beattie picked up the ball, raced towards goal and smashed a shot into the top corner.
Albion had a moment to forget themselves five minutes later when a right-wing cross was shielded by Zuiverloon's foot back towards Carson. The Baggies keeper scooped the ball into his hands conceding an indirect free-kick in his own penalty area.
Hojski raced onto Miljenko Mumlek's pass but saw his 12-yard shot blocked on the line by Leon Barnett.
The Croatians didn't have long to wait for their equaliser. Youssouf Mulumbu conceded a free-kick some 20 yards from goal. Mumlek curled a beautiful 20th minute free-kick over the Albion wall and into Carson's top left-hand corner.
The hosts were clearly in a hospitable mood. Andrija Balajic presented the ball straight to Brunt on the edge of the Albion area. The Baggies man smashed his eight-yard shot first time but was denied by young keeper Krklec.
Vuk continued to torment young left-back Dwayne Samuels and presented Sandro Bloudek with a great chance on 27 minutes. The Varteks forward sliced his shot over the bar.
Albion had a great opportunity themselves two minutes before the break. Mulumbu's excellent low ball found its way to Luke Moore. The striker collected the pass but his placed shot hit the trailing leg of keeper Krklec.
