Middlesbrough Reserves cruised to an emphatic 4-1 victory over Sunderland last night, edging to within three points of Newcastle with two games in hand.
Gaizka Mendieta and Dong Gook Lee both made appearances for the reserve side, with the Korean even making it onto the score-sheet, and turning provider.
Goals from Nathan Porrit, Jonathan Grounds, Tom Craddock and Lee gave the Boro victory in this clash of the North East rivals.
Porrit opened the scoring after just six minutes, slotting the ball into the back of the net from twelve yards.
By the 12th minute, Boro had doubled their lead when Mendieta’s corner was met by a powerful header from Grounds.
In the 27th minute, Boro added a third; Craddock dispossessing Carson in the Black Cats’ goal before rolling the ball into an empty net.
Sunderland did pull one back just before the break; Jamie Chandler striking home from the edge of the penalty area.
However, Boro held on and confirmed their victory in the 81st minute when Lee met a cross from Porrit to turn home from 12 yards.
Overall, this was a comfortable performance from Middlesbrough, and an emphatic scoreline to underline their dominance against a young and inexperienced side.
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Nice to see Mendi playing. I liked him very much when he played in the first team and I still think that we shouldn’t have sent him to the reserves. He is a quality player after all. If Porritt continues his development he’ll surely have chances to prove in the first team next season.
Happy days!
Yeah, nice to see Mendieta back in action, although I’m doubtful he has much of a future with the club.
He is way past it, not had too many great performances and im sure he is picking up a fat wage packet for doing absolutely nothing.