Middlesbrough 2 Bolton 1
McDonald 66 84 Lee 42
There hasn't always been the greatest atmosphere at the
Riverside this season, as the low crowds and view of empty seat have caused
real concern amongst Boro fans. However after three wins on the bounce, the
Middlesbrough supporters managed to record their highest attendance of the
season as they spurred their team to recover from a goal’s deficit against Bolton
to make it four wins in a row.
Tony Mowbray’s side were left chasing the game after Chung
Yong Lee’s neat finish three minutes before half time left them trailing. But
after a second half, which Boro dominated, the stadium was left bouncing,
producing an atmosphere similar to the ones of the premier league days as Boro
attacked towards the North stand.
| McDonald after second goal provided by Ledesma |
The win didn't come without its drama though following
constant pressure from Boro towards the end, after substitute Scott McDonald
had already turned in the rebounded from Ishmael Miller’s for the equatorial
the Australian international found the net again with a powerful header six
minutes from time securing Boro’s place alongside the Championship front
runners.
For the first time this season Mowbray kept the same eleven
players that started in the victory against Hull in mid–week. With Jonathan
Woodgate still absent Grant Leadbitter retained the captain’s armband.
Meanwhile Justin Hoyte returned to the bench after a recent hamstring problem.
Bolton have now announced that Dougie Freedman will now take
over as their new manager following the departure of Owen Coyle and the players
looked keen to impress their new manager from the off.
However it was Boro who should have taken the lead after
nine minutes, when first Leadbitter’s long range shot was tipped around the
post from Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan. Then came the opening as George Friend
delivered a teasing cross into the area to find Miller unmarked, sadly the
striker made minimum contact glancing his header wide.
The hosts then suffered a minor blow when Marvin Emnes’
afternoon was cut short as he limped off with twenty minutes on the clock; the
Dutchman’s run in the team again halted by injury. On the other hand the
introduction of McDonald proved an important change.
Bolton then enjoyed the majority of possession but failed to
create any clear cut chances. Meanwhile Boro looked a force on the break creating
chances but couldn't find the final pass to unlock the defense whilst Miller’s
dipping shot from outside the area flew just over the bar.
Suddenly the Boro fan’s hearts were in their mouths as Eagles
tumbled to the floor inside the area to the sound of the referee’s whistle, unexpectedly
the man in charged reached into his pocket booking the Bolton winger for diving.
The incident meant Eagles then took on the role as pantomime villain receiving
continuous boos from the crowd who were now fired up.
Despite the stick Bolton then put their noises in front
against the run of play, when a loose ball found its way through to Lee who
calmly chipped the ball over Jason Steele giving his side the lead three
minutes away from half time.
Bolton should have been out of sight when Boro’s Andre Bikey
was caught on the ball just outside his own penalty area before he was
dispossessed by Lee but this time the Korean let Boro off the hook missing high
over the cross bar with only Steele to beat.
The second half saw Mowbray replace Adam Reach with Emmanuel
Ledesma on the right hand side as Boro piled on the pressure committing more
men forward attacking toward the roar of the North stand but still missing the final
pass.
The attacking spirit did leave chances for Bolton on the
break though as Friend was required to make a important slide tackle on the
imposing Martin Petrov. After continuous time wasting from the Bolton keeper
Bogdan the Boro crowd had more reasons to get right behind their team feeling aggrieved
that he wasn’t penalized.
The breakthrough was finally made
after sixty six minutes when Miller’s original shot was saved by Bogdan at full
stretch, but was only turned into the path of McDonald who was granted an open
net to turn home the rebound.
A Bolton change saw Martin Petrov
replaced by Benik Afobe which seemed to take a sting out of their attack as
Boro looked the more likely to snatch a winner. McDonald nearly added a second when
Josh McEachren’s well weighted ball played in Faris Haroun however his cross
was behind the Aussie forward whose best efforts at a header was turned wide.
The introduction of Ledesma had
been frustrating at times but with seven minutes left to play the Boro winger
would have a big part to play when first his low cross was turned inches wide
by Haroun inside the area.
Just a minute later Ledesma was at it again as
he received the ball in a similar position before producing the perfect cross
for McDonald, unmarked he powered his header past the keeper leading to a roar from
the crowd and chants of “we’re going up.”
The win keeps Boro third in the
table behind Leicester on goal difference with their next game a trip to
Sunderland on Tuesday in the Capital One Cup.
Player Ratings
Jason Steele 7- Not
a lot to do but still looks reliable when called upon, not much he could have
done about the goal
Stewart Parnaby 7- Another solid performance at right back
Andre Bikey 7- Good overall performance in defence, but
big mistake at the end of the first half could have cost Boro the match
Seb Hines 7.5- Kept his place with Woodgate still out,
and gave another worthy performance
George Friend 7.5- Showed more of his attacking threat
while comfortable at the back
Faris Haroun 6- Pace was sometimes a threat, but a bit slow
to react at times
Josh McEachran 7.5- At times his passing opened up the game
and Bolton’s defence
Grant Leadbitter 7.5- Can’t question his commitment and hard
work in midfield
Adam Reach
5.5- Replaced at half time struggled the beat players, will have better
games
Marvin Emnes 5- Limped off after twenty minutes,
hopefully he will have a quick recovery
Ishmael Miller 6.5- Closed defenders down, but his finishing
will have to improve to keep his place in the side
Subs
Scott McDonald 8- Replaced Emnes worked hard and got his
reward with two goals
Emmanuel Ledesma 6- Frustrating at times but his cross
ultimately won the game
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