Chris Lepkowski match report: NK Varteks: 2 West Brom 2

Jul 18 2009

Roberto Di Matteo made several changes at half-time, with Borja Valero, Shelton Martis and Filipe Teixeira coming on, with Di Matteo's side reverting to a 4-5-1 formation for the second game running. The hosts brought on goalkeeper Sasa Dreven.

A quick-fire move handed Albion their second of the game in the 53rd. Gianni Zuiverloon picked out Jonathan Greening with an intelligent pass which deceived Varteks' backline. The Albion skipper ran towards the goal and sent a low cross in for Beattie, who slid in to score his second of the night.

Beattie was to be denied his hat-trick as he was taken off after an hour, receiving an ovation from the home fans, to be replaced by Chris Wood.

Teixeira was to go close five minutes later only to drag his angled shot just wide of Dreven's far post. David Worrall, Do-Heon Kim and Joss Labadie came on for Zuiverloon, Brunt and Mulumbu respectively.

Robert Koren made his first appearance of the summer, replacing captain Greening in the 84th minute.

Lesjak snatched a draw with a brilliant strike some three minutes from the end. Spotting Carson off his line, the substitute chipped a delightful shot past the Albion keeper.

VARTEKS:(4-2-3-1) Krklec, Tkalcic, Skvorc, Prahic, Balajic, Radicek, Jagacic, Hojski, Mumlek, Bloudek, Vuk. Subs: Dreven, Conjar, Simek, Susac, Hasija, Lesjak, Frljuzec, Skvorc.

ALBION: (4-4-2) Carson, Zuiverloon, Barnett, Olsson, Samuels, Brunt, Mulumbu, Greening, Cech, Moore, Beattie. Subs: Wood, Borja, Shelton, Koren, Worrall, Teixeira, Kim, Labadie, Daniels.

Referee: Mario Zebec (Lovrecan).