Boro Reserves 4 Sunderland Reserves 2
A TOM CRADDOCK hat-trick condemned Sunderland to defeat as Boro Reserves ran out comfortable and impressive winners, writes SAM LOUGHRAN from the Riverside.
With an average age of 18-and-a-half-years, it' was one of Boro's youngest ever Reserve sides that faced their counterparts from Wearside in a game that saw Chris Riggott marshalling a youthful line-up, though Josh Walker was captain.
Gary Martin made his full debut for the Reserves in the centre of the midfield, while Ashley Corker and James Cronesberry made their second starts, slotting in at right-back and left-wing respectively.
James Gray and Phil Shead were involved for the first time as they were named on the bench.
The first chance of the game fell to the home side as a cleverly worked corner saw Walker fizz a low ball into the box where an unmarked Tom Craddock drove for goal, but Nick Colgan made a smart save down to his right.
Within a minute the deadlock was broken after a slack pass from Walker allowed Rade Prica to work an angle 20 yards out and hit a swerving drive that Jason Steele couldn't keep out, despite his best efforts, as the visitors took the lead with just under five minutes played.
John Johnson, partnering Riggott in the centre of defence, made an important block on the quarter-hour as Sunderland probed for a second down the left-hand side.
Moments later a James Cronesberry free-kick from the right almost found Craddock, again unmarked in the area, but the 21-year-old couldn't direct the ball goalwards.
Sunderland came close to doubling their advantage on 20 minutes as Prica's powerful header was well saved by Steele.
A minute later Boro were back level after an horrendous back-pass from Hartley took Colgan by surprise and the ball trickled over the line before Nathan Porritt could get a touch.
The game was swinging from end to end and after Prica missed a golden opportunity to re-take the lead, a great bit of skill from Porritt saw him nutmeg one, bypass another and dink a delightful ball for Craddock to race onto, but the resultant shot was saved by Colgan.
Boro pressed as the game approached half-time and a strong run from Craddock saw him beat two opponents, but the shot was drilled wide of the left post.
True to form Sunderland came back and a good right-wing cross eventually found Nathan Luscombe 12 yards from goal, but the midfielder's shot was superbly blocked by the covering Corker.
A long-drive from Jordan Henderson brought a good, strong stop from Steele as the half entered stoppage time.
Half-time: Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 1
Within two minutes of the restart, a good interchange of play between Corker and Jonathan Franks down the right saw the latter whip a peach of a ball into the six-yard box where Craddock was on hand to glance an excellent header beyong Colgan and put Boro into the lead.
Boro nearly doubled their advantage after 53 minutes as a left-wing cross from Cronesberry found Craddock on the penalty spot. He controlled and shot excellently but it was scrambled away after Colgan could only parry.
Neil Bailey's side were under ever intensifying pressure as the second-half progressed, with only last-ditch defending denying the effervescent Joe Bennett and sprightly pair of Franks and Porritt.
As the game approached the hour, a long ball from Johnson found Craddock racing through on goal and as Colgan came to narrow the angle, the striker rolled the ball into the net to send Boro two goals clear.
Sunderland tried to get a foothold back in the game as Prica broke free following a long diagonal ball. The Swedish striker hadn't banked on Corker - who had grown in stature as the game progressed - nicking it from his foot as he shaped to shoot.
Boro defended strongly with Riggott and Johnson being backed up comfortably by Corker and Bennett on either flank, with the Black Cats struggling to create any opening against the stubborn backline.
After picking up a knock midway through the second-half, Porritt - who was very impressive in front of an above average crowd at the Riverside - was replaced by midfielder Jonathan Harris, who made only his second appearance for the Reserves.
Craddock's hat-trick goal came with five minutes remaining but much of the credit must go to Bennett, who skilfully left two players in his wake before sliding a perfect ball across the six-yard box for the striker who slid in at the back post.
Sunderland pulled a goal back almost immediately as substitute David Dowson converted with three minutes remaining after taking advantage of substitute Theo Furness' first touch.
The visitors almost grabbed another as a looping header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Steele to once again deny the Black Cats.
Boro: Steele; Corker, Riggott, Bennett, Johnson J (Furness 85), Franks, Walker (Capt), Martin, Cronesberry, Craddock, Porritt (Harris 68). Unused subs: Filler (gk); Gray, Shead.
Sunderland: Colgan; Kay, Liddle, Kavanagh, McArdle, Hartley, Henderson, Chandler (Dowson 60), Prica, Colback (Capt), Luscombe (Cook 71). Unused subs: Wilson (gk); Meyler, Brown.
Referee: Peter Wright
Bookings
Boro: Martin, 33, foul on Henderson.
Sunderland: Chandler, foul on Corker, 36; McArdle, shirt-pulling on Craddock, 57.
Conditions: Cool and breezyAttendance: 646
Website Boro Man of the Match: Tom Craddock gets the nod ahead of Jason Steele in an impressive team performance.
