Reserves End On Winning Note
Middlesbrough Reserves 1 Wolves Reserves 0
BORO Reserves ended their season on a winning note by beating Wolves at Rockliffe Park this afternoon.
A goal in the third minute from Graeme Owens proved enough for a Boro side who could have won by many more.
It came when the impressive Adam Johnson burst away down the left and sent over a fine, low cross which Owens, pictured, turned in from close range.
Wolves' goalkeeper Carl Ikeme was at full stretch to tip away longer-range efforts from Lee Cattermole and Daryl Robson before saving a low shot from Adam Clough.
The visitors had two good chances in the opening half, but Vio Ganea, returning after a cruciate ligament operation, delayed a shot allowing Dale Roberts to make a comfortable save, before making the Boro goalkeeper dive full-length to keep up a better effort a few minutes later.
Both players were replaced at half-time, shortly before which Tom Craddock twice headed wide after excellent moved which began with glorious passes from defenders David Wheater and Tony McMahon.
The irrepressible Johnson was again in the thick of the action in the second half, setting up the best chance of the half on 64 minutes when he crossed for substitute Kevin Burgess, who headed over from close range.
Owens shot just over from another Johnson cross close to the end, while Chris Pennock made two excellent saves to keep out a close range effort from Jonathan Taylor and an excellent shot from over 20 yards by the same player in injury time.
There was a neat cameo appearance from Rhys Williams in the final 15 minutes, one ball in particular catching the eye as he set up Craddock, who had a low shot from the edge of the area saved at full stretch by Ikeme.
The result saw Boro finish seventh in the table, just a single strike behind sixth-placed Wolves on goal difference.
TEAMS
Middlesbrough: Roberts (Pennock 46); McMahon, Taylor (Burgess 46), Cattermole, Wheater, Grounds, Clough (Williams 75), Robson, Craddock, Owens, Johnson.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ikeme; Little, Rafferty, Taylor, Clyde, Lowe, Cornes (Spalding 60), Stewart, Ganea (Musson 46), Fitzpatrick, Hughes. Unused subs: Hennessey (gk); Tulloch.
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