Everton Reserves 2 Boro Reserves 2
LAST week it was a hat-trick, tonight Tom Craddock scored two in the second half to earn Boro's Reserves a draw, writes NATHAN JUDAH from the Stobart Stadium in Widnes.
As expected, Marvin Emnes started on the right side of midfield, while there was also a start for Brad Jones, back in over the Pennines for the first time since his Man of the Match performance against Manchester United in the Carling Cup.
Everton named a strong side which included James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe up front, Nuno Valente at left-back and former Boro goalkeeper Carlo Nash.
It didn't take long for the home side to take the lead as they opened the scoring after 90 seconds. A fine through ball picked up Anichebe on the right and his shot deflected off Jones and fell kindly to Dan Gosling, who volleyed home from 10 yards.
The lead was doubled soon after with Anichebe, this time down the left, causing the damage as Boro failed to clear a ball which reached James Vaughan, who rounded Jones to slot home from close range.
Boro started to get a foothold in the game with Tom Craddock and Josh Walker having efforts from distance, while sound claims for a penalty were turned down when Seb Hines was pulled back in the box.
Nash produced a fine save from a Craddock header following an excellent cross from Richard Smallwood, but Everton finished the half the stronger, with Valente's rasping shot from the left hitting Jones on the chest before he gathered.
Half-time: Everton 2 Middlesbrough 0
Boro started the second half the way they finished the first and it could have been game over had Vaughan connected with Anichebe's superb low cross from the left.
But the visitors galvanised themselves, with Nathan Porritt pulling the strings. He forced two brilliant saves from Nash with shots from distance, while a change of tactics from Martin Scott saw Emnes move up front to join Craddock and Porritt.
The young Dutchman looked far more comfortable in a central role and Boro deservedly pulled one back in the 70th minute. Porritt's brilliant cross from the left-wing found the dangerous Craddock who, unmarked, coolly headed home.
The visitors were level a minute later when Emnes was pulled back in the box by Cory Sinnottand Craddock stepped up to ram the resultant penalty home.
By now it looked as though there was only go be one winner, with all three strikers causing mayhem in the Everton defence.
The game was stopped for five minutes when Shaun Saiko suffered a sickening clash of heads with Vaughan when the Everton striker looked certain to score. Saiko was immediately replaced by Phil Shead and Vaughan came off soon after.
There were chances at both ends, but a draw was a fair result.
Middlesbrough: Jones; Saiko (Shead 83), Hines (Corker, 67), Johnson, Bennett, Emnes, Walker, Smallwood, Cronesberry, Porritt, Craddock. Subs: Filler (gk); Gray, Martin.
Everton: Nash, Irving, Valente, Barnett, Sinnott (Agard 89), Wallace, Baxter, Gosling, Vaughan (Molyneux 89), Anichebe, Kissock. Subs: Ruddy (gk); Spencer, Akpan.
Referee: Mr Harwood.
Bookings
Everton: Barnett, Sinnott
Boro: Bennett
Website Boro Man of the Match: Craddock's performance was excellent throughout, but Joe Bennett gets the nod.
