Boro Under-21s took a giant step towards title glory as they beat rivals West Brom 3-1 at The Hawthorns.
Bradley Fewster's brace either side of a Junior Mondal strike extended Boro's young guns' lead at the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Second Division summit to five points.
Paul Jenkins made two changes to the side that beat Wolves 1-0 seven days earlier, with wingers Mustapha Carayol and Ryan Brobbel both missing.
That meant starts for Fewster and Under-18 talent Mondal in a youthful Boro line-up without any recognised first-team stars.
West Brom showed first on six minutes as midfielder Samir Nabi fizzed a 30-yard shot towards goal, but it was held by Boro stopper Joe Fryer at the second attempt.
The Baggies, who included first-team internationals Sebastian Pocognoli, Christian Gamboa and Jason Davidson in their line-up, continued to threaten early on as S.Nabi again found space, but captain Jonny Burn denied him with a crucial block.
Unbeaten in the league since September's reverse fixture when Boro ran out 2-0 winners, the Premier League side dominated the early possession and territory.
S.Nabi was at the heart of the Baggies' play but his scuffed shot on 26 minutes was easily held by Fryer, before Tom McAloon ran through at the other end but fired straight at keeper Jack Rose.
Boro were forced into a change on 33 minutes as Harry Chapman suffered a leg injury, and Brazilian recruit Joao Morelli - signed from Juninho's Ituano FC - took his place.
Moments later Lewis Maloney almost handed Boro the lead but his stinging shot was deflected narrowly wide, and the midfielder played a huge role in Boro's opener on 41 minutes.
Maloney's fierce free-kick from 20 yards was only palmed away by West Brom keeper Rose, and the onrushing Fewster was on hand to slam home the rebound.
The hosts almost levelled immediately after as Adil Nabi's shot was saved by Fryer, before Kyle Howkins' looping effort forced the Boro keeper into an acrobatic stop before the break.
Five minutes into the second half Boro threatened after Mondal tricked his way past two Baggies defenders, before Maloney's shot was deflected wide off Howkins.
West Brom levelled in bizarre circumstances on 53 minutes as A.Nabi's corner somehow crept beyond Fryer and straight into the net.
The home side came close to snatching the lead seconds later as Davidson tested Fryer, but on 62 minutes Boro restored their advantage as Mondal raced down the left before drilling into the far corner.
Boro could have wrapped up the points on 73 minutes as Robbie Tinkler danced his way to the byline before drilling across the goal to Mondal, but the youngster's finishing touch let him down.
But Mondal's trickery earned Boro a penalty on 77 minutes, and Fewster bagged his second of the night from 12 yards to put the Teessiders in dreamland.
And despite late pressure from the hosts, Jenkins' men held firm to tighten their grip on top spot and clinch a vital victory.
Boro: Fryer, Tinkler, Jackson, Burn (c), Bennett, Maloney, Kitching, Chapman (Morelli 33) McAloon, Mondal, Fewster. Subs not used: Dawson, Weledji, Wheatley, Griffiths.
No comments:
Post a Comment