Back To Winning Ways

Middlesbrough   3    Huddersfield   0

                                McDonald  28  85
                                Ledesma  66


What a difference a couple of days can make, last Saturday brought a flat feeling amongst Boro fans following a shock defeat to Bristol City, but just three nights later a convincing victory over playoff chasing Huddersfield has revived optimism amongst supporters, again hopeful of a promotion campaign .

On a night where the awful weather could have easily turned fans away, the 2 games for 1 ticket offer from the weekend’s game lured another 20,000 plus crowd who were not sent home disappointed.

Another top performance from Ledesma

Despite their dissimilar league positions Huddersfield posed a far weaker threat than that of Bristol on Saturday, as Boro dominated from start to finish. Two goals from Scott McDonald either side of Emmanuel Ledesma’s fantastic free kick capped an enjoyable night for the fans as their side returned to third in the table.

Tony Mowbray made four changes from Saturday’s game including surprise selections Andy Haliday and Richard Smallwood both making their first league starts of the season. McDonald and Nicky Bailey also came in as Marvin Emnes, Ishmael Miller and Stewart Parnaby all dropped to the bench with Grant Leadbitter suspended, however the fresh legs appeared to give the team a lift.

The torrential down pour provided some scrappy periods in the game early on, as Boro tried to give their fans something to shout about in the tough conditions. Haliday’s striving run led to a dangerous free kick, which rippled the side netting when took by Ledesma.

Overall Boro looked more of a unit than on Saturday, as players showed positive gestures to each other and covered for their team mates in an all round better environment.

The stalemate was soon broken as Boro were provided an opening on twenty-eight minutes. Justin Hoyte took advantage of space on the right, as he launched a run towards the opposition penalty area. His path was halted but he still managed to find Lukas Jutkiewitz whose low cross was met by McDonald as the striker squeezed his shot under keeper Alex Smithies.

The hosts could have gone two clear before half time when another Jutkiewitz cross took a wicked deflection off Huddersfield defender Peter Clarke forcing a brilliant save from his keeper who turned the ball onto the bar. No Boro players were even in the box.

As the first half came to a close Boro’s deserved lead was nearly cancelled out after Huddersfield’s Scott Arfield was allowed too much space in midfield, his long range effort was dipping towards the Boro goal, forcing the back tracking Jason Steele to tip it over the bar.

The visitors created a rare opportunity at the start of the second half, only for Lee Novak to fire his shot wide. However it was Jutkiewitz’s name which should have appeared on the score sheet, as he wriggled away from the defence but was indecisive in front of goal as his shot was blocked by Smithies.

The game entered a quiet spell where few chances were created needing a moment of quality, and that’s exactly what it got with 66 minutes played a foul on Ledesma, who was effective all game on the right, brought a promising free kick. From there the Argentine curled his left foot shot over the wall beating Smithies, who could only parry the ball into his own net, sending the crowd ecstatic.

Jutkiewitz was close to adding a third when his powerful header was brilliantly saved by the Smithies at full stretch. But with five minutes remaining Boro were still able to inflict their biggest win at the Riverside this season. Smallwood’s cross from the left was headed down by Jutkiewitz towards McDonald in space who smashed the ball against the ground into the roof of the net.

The win means Boro go third in the table three points off first place Cardiff. With their next game a trip to Birmingham on Friday.

Player Ratings

                                                                                                                   

Jason Steele   7.5– Not much to do, made important save before half time to keep his side 1-0 up

Justin Hoyte   7- His pace was a threat going forward which led to first goal, little to do in defence

Andre Bikey    7- Opposition didn’t cause many problems for the defender

Seb Hines   6.5- Looked a little shaky in recent games, but still played his part to get the clean sheet

Andy Haliday   7- Surprise choice at left back but looked good going forward in a unfamiliar position to him    

Richard Smallwood   7- Provided cover at left back when Haliday went forward, and linked up well in midfield

Josh McEachran   8- Comfortable on the ball, showing quality when the game got scrappy

Nicky Bailey (C)   7.5- Controlled midfield with leadership and tackling   

Emmanuel Ledesma   8- Brilliant free kick gave Boro a two goal cushion, as his crosses and tricks caused problems all game

Scott McDonald    8- Clinical in front of goal, now scored 7 goals in all competitions

Lukas Jutkiewitz   6.5- Good in the air, but a bit indecisive when he had chances to score