Home Sweet Home for Boro

Middlesbrough   2     Ipswich   0

                                        L.Williams  34

                                            Carayol  90

A winning home record is always the building block for a successful season in football and Boro's 100% record at the Riverside so far this season has given fans real hope that Tony Mowbray's side can once again be in the mix for promotion to the Premier League this year.

However don't be fooled by what looks a routine 2-0 victory over Paul Jewell's Ipswich team, after Boro provided the usual agony for their supporters in the dying minutes, hanging on to their one goal advantage courtesy of Luke Williams' first half strike. 

Carayol celebrates his home debut with a goal

Boro dug deep to keep a limit on the visitor's chances late on before home debutant Mustapha Carayol was presented a chance on the counter attack, killing the game and making nine points out of nine at home, the Riverside proving to be something of a fortress this year.

After the International break Mowbray made four changes from the side who were beaten away at Millwall two weeks ago. Marvin Emmnes dropped out due to illness allowing teenager Williams to again show his qualities up front.While new arrival Andre Bikey was given his debut playing alongside captain Jonathan Woodgate in defense.

Boro tried to impose themselves on the game early on and were able to create the game's opening chance nine minutes in, when Ishmael Miller was released clear through on goal from Josh McEachran's pass only to be denied by the legs of Ipswich keeper Scott Loach.

Ipswich were quick to respond attacking down the right when Lee Martin's run behind the defense forced Steele into action tipping the winger's shot over the bar. Ipswich then enjoyed large spells of possession in the Boro half as the hosts sat very deep without the ball.

But back came Boro after failing to test the visitors goal since Miller's effort the hosts were quick to pounce on the next opportunity that went begging, this time it was Kevin Thompson's pass which split the defense for Williams to fire the ball low across Loach into the bottom left hand corner.

Boro closed out the first half by keeping the ball as their lead remained intact and were close to adding a second just after the restart when Adam Reach came inside onto his left foot for his shot to be unconvincingly parried away by Loach.

Mowbray gambled on the fitness level Lukas Jutkiewicz in the second half as the Boro striker, who missed most of pre-season through injury, looked hungry for a goal heading the ball just over the bar within seconds of coming on to the pitch.   

In the first half Ipswich forward Michael Chopra found it difficult to make an impact on the game with his team mates struggling to get their main striker on the ball. However the former Newcastle and Cardiff man started to show just why he was Ipswich's top scorer last season first missing wide before bringing another good save from Steele a few minutes later.    

Boro were forced back deeper and deeper as the visitors launched one last push to salvage somthing from the game. However the home fans were allowed a huge sigh of relief when Steele picked out Carayol from the goal kick allowing the Boro winger to exploit the space before a composed finish past Loach at the near post.

Boro now face back to back away games against Blackpool and Blackburn as they go looking for their first point on the road this season.

Match Ratings

Jason Steele  9- Made some crucial saves to keep Boro in the game
George Friend  7- Looked good going forward early on, but struggled to cope with the pace of Martin at times
Jonathan Woodgate(C)  8- Solid captain's performance in the heart of defense
Andre Bikey   8.5- Played like a brick wall in defense as not much got past him  
Justin Hoyte   6.5- Not able show much of his pace going forward
Josh McEachran   6- Set up Miller early on but then had quiet spells throughout the match
Kevin Thompson   6- His pass set up Williams for the first goal but looked short of match fitness
Grant Leadbitter   6.5- Showed a range of passing in  midfield against his former club
Adam Reach   6- Had shot saved early in the second half but didn't cause defenders as many problems as he would have liked
Luke Williams 7- Took his chance to score, with a good low shot, to put Boro in the driving seat
Ishmael Miller   6- Missed a good chance early on but his physical threat gave defenders problems
Subs 
Lukas Jukiewicz   6- First appearance of the season and looked hungry for a goal
Mustapha Carayol   7- came on for the last 20 minutes helping out in defense before his pace on the break lead to the second goal