Sunday, December 18, 2005
Boro 2 Litex Lovetch 0
Not the most mouth watering of fixtures, with Boro already guaranteed progression to the last 32, a fact reflected in the turnout at the Riverside, the worst of the season at just over 9000. That said it was a chance to finish top of the group and potentially get a lesser team in the draw, as well as a chance to blood a few more youngsters with first team experience. Matthew Bates, Adam Johnson and Jason Kennedy all got starts together with semi-regular and best of the young bunch James Morisson; even Lee Cattermole got a run out later on. Up front it was also a chance for Massimo Maccarone to sate his case in an embarrassment of riches for in form strikers.The game started brightly and looked like a likely runaway victory after ten minutes but that dried up to become a frustrating midfield battle with some poor passing and low levels of commitment. For 5 minutes in the second half news came through that AZ were top and Boro were finally spurred into action, breaking the deadlock through Johnson's excellent run and cross for Maccarone's head at the far post. A surge of confidence hit the Italian thereafter with a screamer from 35 yards going just over before an equally ambitious piledriver hit the top corner of the net minutes later! 2-0 and all over, but it was a game where we controlled the first and the last 10 minutes and were simply rubbish inbetween, notably the dual goalscorer who was looking unlikely to hit a barn door for the majority.
Ten points and first place! All good. The subsequent draw however muted the celabrations slightly when we nabbed a tie against Stuttgart, easily the best 3rd placed team from the other groups with 3 out of 4 wins and 9 points to there highly reputable name. It will be a tough tough challenge to say the least - but we are yet to concede a goal let alone lose a game and must be confidant. Roll on February!
My MOTM: For 90 minutes Adam Johnson was the best player on the field, but it would be churlish to deny Massimo his day.
