BORO Reserves cruised to victory against Sheffield Wednesday courtesy of a Jonathan Franks brace and goals from Marvin Emnes, Shaun Saiko and Joe Bennett, writes SAM LOUGHRAN at the Riverside.

Adam Johnson, Marvin Emnes, Josh Walker and Jonathan Grounds, all subs in Sunday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa, started in a strong Boro line-up that also saw Matthew Bates continue his comeback following knee ligament damage.

There was a measured approach from Boro in the opening exchanges with the left side of Adam Johnson and Joe Bennett causing Sheffield Wednesday some early problems.

It was Bennett who had the first shot of the game after Johnson weaved his way into the left of the penalty area and cut back to invite the left-back's shot from 15 yards, but it skimmed wide of O'Donnell's left post.

The left pairing once again carved out another opportunity for Martin Scott's side as a strong run from Bennett saw him play a one-two with Johnson, who chipped the ball over the Owls' defence only for Bennett to be blocked at the last.

The warning signs were there for Wednesday and after 14 minutes Jonathan Franks hit a low, hard drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards to the hosts a deserved lead.

Moments later Boro thought they'd doubled their advantage but Nathan Porritt's low volley was turned in by an offside Emnes as Boro grew ever more confident.

Boro were starting to boss proceedings and were keeping the ball for long periods, playing some attractive football in the process.

With 23 minutes gone, a twisting and weaving run from Emnes culminated in the Dutch striker checking on the edge of the area and hitting a drive that was too powerful for O'Donnell to keep out as Boro doubled their lead.

Scott's side were getting all kinds of space across the pitch and came close, on two occasions, to extending their lead. A good run from Johnson eventually found Porritt, but the shot was weak from the forward and Wednesday survived.

Emnes took on and beat three opposition players before being confronted by O'Donnell who appeared to smother the ball just before the striker, as Boro were beginning to enjoy their control.

Another chance came Emnes' way after sublime interplay between Shaun Saiko and the Dutch forward saw a last-ditch block on the edge of the six-yard box deny a third goal.

Half-time: Middlesbrough 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0

A change at the start of the second-half saw the lively Emnes replaced by Gary Martin who scored his first Reserve goal at Wigan last week.

There was a worrying moment two minutes into the second half when Bennett went down after a clash of heads. The full-back disappeared down the tunnel to receive further treatment before returning to the fray five minutes later.

Wednesday were a little more combative in the second half but continued to offer very little in front of goal as Boro held firm.

Man of the match for the U18s on Saturday, James Gray replaced Porritt with 18 minutes remaining to make his first reserve appearance.

With a quarter of an hour remaining Boro sealed the three points after Martin found Saiko unmarked eight yards out and the Canadian midfielder tucked the ball low into the net with O'Donnell left with no chance.

The Owls fashioned their first opportunity of the second half with 10 minutes to go as Wade Small hit a poked effort from eight yards which David Knight saved comfortably.

A fourth goal came seconds later as Franks found space 10 yards from goal and rifled the ball low past the Wednesday 'keeper.

Boro's final change came after 83 minutes as Phil Shead replaced the ever-commanding John Johnson.

With four minutes to go Boro grabbed another one as left-back Bennett fizzed in a stinging shot from 10 yards after cutting onto his right leaving the hapless Wednesday defence in his wake.

Boro next game in the totesportcasino.com league cup is against Bradford on Tuesday, before completing the group's final game against Grimsby in January.

Middlesbrough: Knight; Johnson J (Shead 83), Bates, Grounds, Bennett, Franks, Saiko, Walker (Capt.), Johnson A, Porritt (Gray 72), Emnes (Martin 46). Unused subs: Filler (gk); Corker.

Sheffield Wednesday: O'Donnell; Simek, Gilbert, Lunt, McMenamin, Wragg, Small, Jeffers (Lakaj 74), Sodje (Connelly 74), Burton, Lekaj. Unused subs: Pratt (gk); Wood, Hadfield.

Referee: Mr S Duncan

Conditions: Cool with a light wind

Attendance: 253

Website Boro Man of the Match: Joe Bennett