Boro Under-21s coach hails battling side after going five points clear at the summit

Paul Jenkins hailed the attitude of his thread-bare Boro Under-21s squad as they cemented their title charge with a 2-0 win over Stoke City on Friday.

Goals from Emmanuel Ledesma and Mark Kitching helped the Teessiders move five points clear at the top of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Second Division, with five games to play.

However, Jenkins admitted team selection wasn’t easy with the young guns missing nine regular starters through suspension, injury, international duty and loan commitments.

But the Under-21 coach admitted that’s part and parcel of professional football - and believes his youngsters more than stood up to the challenge at Rockliffe Park.

“I’m delighted with the overall performance,” Jenkins said.

“On Thursday the team must have changed four or five times. Luke Williams was in and then out (after securing loan move to Peterborough), and then we had another late one with David Atkinson moving to Carlisle.

“We were without Jonny Burn and Robbie Tinkler (both suspended) as well as a few others, so there was a bit of juggling going on.

“Bearing in mind the Under-18s were due to play on Saturday too, we had to do our best to help both teams out.

“But these are the challenges imposed on Under-21 football and sometimes you don’t know the team until the morning of the game.

Doug Moody Photography

Kieran Weledji takes on his opposite number during Boro Under-21s' win over Stoke

“Fortunately we probably knew the line-up at 6pm on Thursday, but I always have confidence in this group of players to go and perform.

“I thought their attitude, application and their hunder was impeccable.”

The result leaves Boro’s young stars in a commanding position in the table, ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.

On Tuesday, the Under-21s face Scarborough Athletic in the North Riding Senior Cup semi-final at Bridlington.

The team then face a testing trip to St James’ Park against title rivals Newcastle in the league, before hosting Arsenal at the Riverside Stadium.

“Everything is in our own hands, and if we continue to win football matches then the end product will be there at the end of the season,” Jenkins added.