County Antrim 2
Middlesbrough 0
By Paul Alexander
County Antrim concluded the group stage of this year’s SuperCupNI with back-to-back wins as they defeated Middlesbrough at the Coleraine Showgrounds on Wednesday evening.
Antrim nearly went ahead on 12 minutes through Middlesbrough defender Ike Givenson. His powerful header towards his own goal startled the crowd but flew wide of the target.
Middlesbrough continued to look nervy seconds later when goalkeeper Joseph Richardson dropped the ball before recovering well.
Coran Madden then threatened for Antrim with a teasing effort from outside the penalty area. The wide man cut in from the left but fired over the crossbar.
County Antrim would go on to take the lead shortly after. Alex Watson ran onto the ball in a central position and showed good composure before applying the finish.
Madden was, again, causing problems for Middlesbrough in the 25th minute. His shot across goal from inside the area had to be pushed away by Richardson.
Bailey Palmer tried to put Borro level three minutes before the break. He produced a powerful drive which was gathered by Zak Robinson in the Antrim goal.
Middlesbrough continued to push for an equaliser after the restart. Tom Moody unleashed a stinging strike which was spilled and gathered by Robinson.
They were then awarded a penalty with almost 48 minutes played when centre-forward Cruz Ibeh was brought down by Robinson. However, Robinson redeemed himself as thwarted Ibeh’s attempt to find the bottom-left corner.
Substitute Owen Mahoney had a promising opportunity for County Antrim on the hour mark. He was played in on the right side of the six-yard box but couldn’t hit the target.
Although he would add his side’s second four minutes after. Having stayed alert following a foul on the edge of the 18-yard box, he weaved his way through the penalty area before tapping the ball into the net.
County Antrim: Robinson, Beattie, Gamble, Charnley, Allen, Davidson (Duffin, 42), McKervy (Mahoney, 54), Madden, Watson, Thompson, Dickson (Tohill, 67)
Subs not used: McAllister, Cargill, McIntyre, Rooney
Middlesbrough: Richardson, Tremain, Edmundson, Givenson, Moss, Bailey (Simmons, 36), A. Palmer, Feenan (Newall, 58), B. Palmer, Moody (Crown-Remikie, 48), Ibeh
Subs not used: Jones, Dore, Daglish