Boro Mania

Middlesbrough put out a very strong line up for the reserves clash with Manchester United at the Riverside, with first team regulars Ross Turnbull, Justin Hoyte, Afonso Alves and Julio Arca lining up alongside academy graduates Seb Hines, Matthew Bates, Jon Grounds and Josh Walker.

Boro started the game well, and looked threatening, Alves having a couple of early half-chances and a free kick which the wall deflected for a corner. United rarely threatened in the opening exchanges but took the lead from their first real opportunity. They were awarded a free kick, wrongly in my opinion, as Julio Arca was punished for a perfectly good tackle. Take nothing away from young Norwegian Magnus Wolff Eikrem though who curled a fantastic free kick into the top corner.

The game after that was a bit disappointing as Manchester United strangled the midfield area and Boro created very few chances. Alves had a couple of chances but in truth never looked like scoring, young Gary Martin worked very hard alongside him but never really had an opportunity, except for a penalty shout when he appeared to be fouled by De Laet in the penalty area.

As the game wound down, a diagonal ball from substitute Peter Gal-Andrezly found Afonso Alves on the edge of the area. The Brazilian's cushioned header found Joe Bennett, but the left-footed shot arched just wide of goal.

Man of the match goes to Joe Bennett who looked very composed and impresses me every time I see him play.

Boro: Turnbull; Hoyte, Hines, Grounds, Bennett, Bates, Smallwood (Capt) (Corker 68), Arca, Walker (Capt from 68), Martin (Gal-Andrezly 68), Alves. Unused subs: Knight (gk); Saiko, Cronesberry.