Boro's 2012 Send-off

Middlesbrough    4     Blackpool    2

                                      Miller  14                                                Thomas  59 

                                      Smallwood  36                                         Basham  76

                                      McDonald  62

                                      Reach  88

What a way to end the year. A six goal thriller containing drama, controversy and a touch of class, Which turned into an emotional rollercoaster for Middlesbrough and Blackpool fans to conclude 2012.

Momentum continuously changed hands throughout the game, Boro twice looked safe opening up a two goal cushion only for their seaside opponents to both times half the deficit. But the key moment came ten minutes from time when a disputed penalty gave Blackpool the chance to finally draw level.

Reach's goal sealed one of the games of the season

However it was to be Boro’s day after a superb save from keeper Jason Steele denied Thomas Ince from the spot, before substitute Adam Reach sealed the game with a goal worthy of winning any football match.

The high demands of the Championship forced Tony Mowbray to make five changes from the side that beat Blackburn on Boxing Day, Andre Bikey, Josh McEachran, Emmanuel Ledesma and George Friend all picked up knocks while Lukas Jutkiewitz started on the bench.

Rhys Williams returned as captain along with Andy Haliday at left back, Richard Smallwood and Nicky Bailey in midfield and Ishmael Miller upfront.

Boro started far the brighter team imposing themselves on the game from the off,  so much was the hosts dominance that they racked up seven corners in the opening fourteen minutes before one finally came off. Grant Leadbitter delivered a teasing ball from the left, which was met by Miller who glanced his header across goal from close range for a deserved Boro lead.

Despite the goal the hosts continued to apply the pressure controlling midfield not allowing Blackpool a foot hold in the game. The only negative for Mowbray was a further injury concern this time full back Justin Hoyte limped off after twenty minutes to be replaced by Stewart Parnaby.

It wasn’t long before Boro’s authority was again rewarded doubling their lead ten minutes from half time. Emnes received the ball mid-way inside Blackpool’s half before showing great vision to pick out a run from Smallwood. The midfielder still had plenty to do as he drove into the opposition penalty area before firing a left foot shot beyond keeper Matt Gilks in the bottom left corner.

A comfortable position at half time, but it always felt like Boro would need a third to really kill the game. Miller’s cross two minutes after the restart had to be turned over the bar by Gilks, but this half Boro were not to have it all their own way.

The next goal was vital and suddenly what looked a comfortable afternoon for Mowbray and his team was now an uncertain one. With half an hour to go Blackpool worked the ball into Boro’s box, where the hosts failed to make a tackle, before the ball finally fell to Wes Thomas who smashed the ball low past Steele creating a contest.  

But back came Boro just three minutes after conceding, Scott McDonald took position just inside the opposition half and was allowed to run unchallenged before curling his low shot beyond the reach of Gilks to the keepers left.

However Blackpool were not finished with fourteen minutes remaining an in swinging corner wasn’t dealt with by Steele, the Boro keeper couldn’t hold onto the ball pushing it into the path of Chris Basham who was on hand to finish into an unguarded net.

Then came the pivotal moment when Gary Taylor-Fletcher raced away from Jonathan Woodgate who appeared to pull down the Blackpool striker inside the area. The referee closest to the incident waved play on, however the linesman on the far side flagged for a spot kick causing the man in charge to change his mind.

Up stepped  Ince, expected to make a move to Liverpool in the New Year, but this game won’t have increased his value, after his penalty towards the bottom left corner was met by a stunning save from Steele at full stretch welcomed by a roar from the crowd who thought points had eluded them.

After all the drama Boro finally seized the initiative two minutes from time when substitute Adam Reach cut inside of two Blackpool defenders on to his favoured left foot before hitting a brilliant effort from the edge of the area out of the reach of Gilks finding the net off the inside of the post wrapping up an enjoyable match.

Boro’s next game is away to Derby on New Year’s Day. Today’s result keeps them in touching distance of the automatic promotion places following victories for both Cardiff and Hull.

Player Ratings

Jason Steele   8- Partly at fault for the second goal but a great recovery to make brilliant save from the penalty

Andy Haliday   7.5- Dealt well with threat of Ince and got forward when he could

Rhys Williams (C)   7.5- Solid game on first start for 3 months  

Jonathan Woodgate   7.5- Kept Blackpool attacks quiet but a bit carless to concede the penalty

Justin Hoyte - Afternoon cut short after hip injury replaced by Parnaby after 20 minutes

Nicky Bailey   7.5- Deepest of three centre midfielders providing cover for defence

Richard Smallwood   8.5- Showed great link up play, controlling the game in midfield in the first half along with a terrific goal

Grant Leadbitter   8- Set pieces were a threat also helped control the game in midfield

Ishmael Miller   7.5- Posed a threat out on the right always had the beating of the full back

Scott McDonald   8.5- Worked hard for the team in attack and defending and rewarded with a goal

Marvin Emnes   6.5- Had some quiet spells, provided a killer pass to set up second goal

Subs  

Stewart Parnaby   7- Provided a solid replacement for Hoyte

Adam Reach   7- With a point to prove looked a real threat down the right before getting on the score sheet

Lukas Jutkiewitz - Provided fresh legs for the last eight minutes replacing Emnes

My Boro man of the match: Richard Smallwood