Geordie legend Peter Beardsley’s charm offensive towards Boro has continued today as he heaped praise on Under-21 keeper Connor Ripley.
Boro’s giant stopper was one of six changes made by Paul Jenkins’ for last night’s Barclays Under-21 Premier League Second Division showdown at Victoria Park, replacing Joseph Fryer between the posts.
And Ripley put on a dazzling display to inspire Boro to a dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle, extending the Teessiders’ unbeaten run to eight games and sending Boro’s young guns top of the table.
Ripley made a string of saves to keep Boro in the match, including an acrobatic stop to tip Kevin Mbabu’s thunderous strike over the bar.
Before the match Beardsley, now Under-21s coach at Newcastle, admitted he would love to see Boro get promoted this season.
And after the match it was Boro’s Ripley, who has featured for England’s Under-19s, who received the Geordie legend’s praise.
“We battled hard but we haven’t played anywhere near we can”, Beardsley told the club’s official site.
“Overall a draw would have probably been a fair result, but to be fair to Middlesbrough they took their two chances and good luck to them.
PA 
Peter Beardsley
“(Ripley) made one brilliant save from Kevin Mbabu. It was a fantastic save.
“Jak (Alnwick) has done the same for us in the past and when you get an experienced goalkeeper who knows the game, it makes a massive difference.
“That’s their job but when it’s against you, you’re disappointed.”
Boro Under-21s next game is at Arsenal on Friday.
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