Match Report: Middlesbrough v Southampton

Jul 27, 2017 | Uncategorised | 0 comments

Middlesbrough came back from two goals down to secure their place in the final of the Bowl against County Down on Friday morning in Broughshane.

 

The Teesiders were two goals behind for large periods of this well-contested clash at Parker Avenue, but two second half goals forced the tie into penalty kicks and ‘Boro held their nerve to win 5-3 on spot kicks.

 

It was Middlesbrough that made most of the early running and Terry Stephenson made good ground down the left but the Southampton ‘keeper palmed his fierce effort away from goal.

 

Southampton slowly but surely found their way into the game as Jack Turner drove forward after latching on to a through ball but his effort lacked any conviction as Samuel Barrett made a comfortable save.

 

Southampton were soon rewarded for their patient build up play as Frank Lovett latched on to a ball over the top and Andrew Nelson clipped the heels of Lovett and the referee awarded a penalty.

 

Jack Turner fired home to give the St Mary’s youngsters an early lead.

 

Southampton controlled the rest of the first half but failed to test Barrett in the ‘Boro goal.

 

The Premier League Academy outfit doubled their lead in the early stages of the second half.

 

Seamus Keogh drove forward down the right hand side and his clever pass made its way into the box where the ball was eventually squared to Daniel Jones who curled the ball past Barrett to make it 2-0.

 

At this stage Middlesbrough looked dead and buried as Southampton took control of possession and forced ‘Boro to do a lot of defending in the early stages of the second half.

 

Against the run of play Middlesbrough grabbed themselves a lifeline as the impressive Terry Stephenson cut inside from the left and fired a low effort past Oliver Wright to make it 2-1.

 

This goal seemed to lift the ‘Boro side and they missed a glorious opportunity to level the scores.

 

Thomas Walker burst into the 18 yard box but just when he looked like he was about to fire home, he miscued his effort and it went high and wide over the upright.

 

Just when it looked like Middlesbrough were about to rue that missed opportunity, they scored with the last kick of the game.

 

Isaac Fletcher powered into the box and latched on to a chipped pass and he volleyed past Wright to make it 2-2.

 

The game went straight to penalty kicks and ‘Boro ran out 5-3 winners with Ben Cummins netting the fifth and decisive spot kick after Sam Barrett had made a great save low to his left from the Saints’ third spot kick.

 

Middlesbrough 2
Southampton 2
(Middlesbrough win 5-3 on pens)

 

Credit, Sam Gamble @Sam_Gamble88