Final Point Of The Season

Middlesbrough    2     Charlton    2

                                        Emnes  76                                                 Fuller  1

                                        McDonald  87                                           Williams (og)  19

It may not have been the grand finale Middlesbrough fans expected at the end of last year, but at least Boro’s final home appearance this season finished with a battling fight back to slightly ease the pain of a disappointing campaign which once promised so much.

There were no fireworks or celebrations following a jittery 2-2 draw with Charlton, which five months ago looked like the match which could seal a glamorous promotion back to the Premier league.  Instead the afternoon was one of little significance to Boro’s league status next year, as barely 15,000 watched their side bid farewell to the Riverside after another frustrating season.  

McDonald made a big impact after coming on 

The game did provide a valuable opportunity for Tony Mowbray to take a good look at several younger players and some on the fringes of the squad who are likely to remain at the club next season.

Boro showed five changes from the team beaten at Bolton last weekend. Jonathan Woodgate was sent off in that match earning him a suspension; he was replaced by Andre Bikey in defence. Grant Leadbitter returned from his two match ban, while Adam Reach, Curtis Main and Marvin Emnes also came in to the starting line up.

It was no surprise that loan signings Josh McEachran and Sammy Ameobi both dropped out, neither one is expected to be part of next season. Kieron Dyer’s short stay at the club is also unlikely to stretch beyond this year as he made way along with top scorer Scott McDonald who started on the bench.

On a good run of form Charlton had won four of their last six games and still had slim chance of reaching the play-offs, their confidence was clear to see as they abruptly took the lead with less than a minute played.

Not even thirty seconds had past when Boro were caught cold and were handed the worst possible start. A long pass up field from the visitors straight from the kick-off bypassed the whole Boro defence who were sluggish to react to a swift run by Charlton striker Ricardo Fuller. With time in the penalty area Fuller was able to roll the ball across goal where it was smashed into the roof of the net by Bradley Prichard from close range. Some fans were still to take their seats.

The game had began quite open, as  Boro had the chance to equalise immediately when a cross from the right fell at the feet of Mustapha Carayol inside the area, but he could only fire the ball over the visitor’s cross bar.

A bad start to the afternoon suddenly turned worse from a Boro perspective, as they paid the price for another defensive shambles. A free kick mid way inside the Boro half was drifted to the left of the penalty area by Charlton’s Mark Gower. In acres of space Yann Kermorgant hooked the ball back into the area where it hit the unfortunate Rhys Williams turning the ball into his own net to double Charlton’s lead.

It was a match that had the feel of an irrelevant late season game, as Boro’s fans knew their playoff hopes had long been dashed. Their only real threat came from the energetic Carayol who was beating defenders at will giving the home fans something to get excited about.

Boro gradually searched for a way back into the game, first Emnes dragged his low effort wide, minutes later Reach’s powerful attempt was firmly saved by Charlton keeper Ben Hamer. The visitors had the opportunity to stretch their lead further before the break when Kermogant was allowed to advance into the Boro box where he was unlucky not to score, when his curling shot brushed past far post.

In the dying minutes of the half Boro were denied a strong claim for a penalty, when Emnes broke away towards the Charlton goal the Dutch striker was clipped from behind from the recovering defender inside the area but the appeals were turned down by the referee. Protests from the Boro players continued after the half time whistle, but overall it had been another poor half of football and they once again were booed off at the break.

The first ten minutes of the second half showed little signs of a Boro revival, which triggered what turned out to be an inspired substitution from Mowbray. Off came Reach and Main who were replaced by McDonald and Emmanuel Ledesma.

As Boro’s top scorer this season McDonald quickly made an impact, two long range shots within minutes of coming on may have been comfortable for the keeper, however it offered some encouragement to the crowd.

With half an hour to go the two Boro subs combined effectively, when Ledesma floated the ball into the penalty area where McDonald cushioned the ball down for Emnes, however with a clear sight at goal the Dutchman fluffed his left foot effort wide.

With fourteen minutes to go Emnes was given the chance to redeem himself, as the host’s pressure finally told. Leadbitter’s curling cross into the box was met by the outstretched leg of Emnes, the ball appeared to come of the striker’s shin nevertheless it flew into the top corner of the net and it was game on.

At the other end Fuller once again had the ball in the Boro net only for it to be ruled out for offside, and it was Mowbray’s side who had the last word when Carayol’s in swinging corner with three minutes to go was nodded in by McDonald who found himself unmarked in the box to clinch a point and the final goal at the Riverside this season.

After the match Mowbray expressed his disappointment at what has been a painful second half of the season and challenged his team to raise standards next year "We've got to keep way more clean sheets and defend a lot better - we conceded from another set play today, we know the requirements, to build a strong mentality, we recovered and got a point but with total respect to Charlton, who have finished the season strong, In my opinion we should be beating them at home."

Player Ratings

Jason Steele   6- Not overly worked after Charlton’s early goals

Andy Haliday   5- Caught out a couple of times at left back, sometimes showing his inexperience in that position

Rhys Williams   6.5- Recovered after own goal to make some vital interceptions

Andre Bikey   5- Too casual on the ball, losing possession in dangerous areas of the pitch

Justin Hoyte   6- Began to get forward from right back more as the game went on

Adam Reach   6- Showed glimpses of talent but overall quite quiet before taken off in the second half  

Grant Leadbitter   6- Provided assist for second goal, but unusually struggled to win a lot of 50/50 challenges in midfield

Richard Smallwood   5.5- Also struggled to get to grips with the Charlton midfield

Mustapha Carayol   7.5- Caused opposition problems all afternoon with his speedy dribbling on the wing

Curtis Main   5.5- Struggled to have a major impact on the game upfront

Marvin Emnes   6- Showed a couple of signs returning to old form but still a way off the player we saw last season

Subs     

Scott McDonald   7.5- Gave the whole stadium a lift as he changed the game in the second half

Emmanual Ledesma   6.5- Added an extra offensive player to push for goals

Luke Williams- Came on with ten minutes to go not enough time to rate player

My Boro Man Of The Match: Mustapha Carayol