Middlesbrough Under 23s  4 Quakers 2

We played our second pre season friendly on Saturday afternoon at Rockliffe Park against Middlesbrough Under 23s.

We were requested by our hosts not to publicise the game in advance because of Covid restrictions, and we happily agreed to that out of respect.

We were very encouraged by our performance, especially in the first 45 minutes when we carved out several good chances with some swift, quick passing moves which caused several problems for the Boro defence.

We could count ourselves very unlucky to concede an early penalty when the referee ruled that our triallist keeper Johnny Saltmer brought down a Boro striker who was going away from goal and made the most of the minimal contact, so Sam Walker scored from the spot.

Will Hatfield was unlucky not score with a first time left foot shot from the edge of the box that went just wide, then Luke Charman had another effort deflected just past the post.

Charman then showed some great skill to chest down a right wing cross and turn in one movement, but a defender just managed to deflect his effort past the post.

Danny Maguire then showed some delightful skill when he flicked the ball over two defenders as he ran towards goal on the edge of the box, but he pulled his first time volley just wide of the right hand post.

And just on half time, Charman showed some great skill to strike a right foot shot that came back off the bar with the keeper beaten.

Quakers deservedly levelled on the hour, when Maguire split the Boro defence for Charman to fire past the keeper -- Quakers' first goal in pre-season.

We nearly went ahead on 65 minutes when Hatfield sent sub Justin Donawa racing through one-on-one, but the keeper got down well to save the striker's low shot.

Boro went up the other end when Sam Forlain broke into the box and found the bottom corner, then Rumarn Burrell quickly added another.

But Quakers kept going, and Donawa got into the box and set up our second triallist to beat the keeper from close range for our second.

However, a mix up in the Darlington defence let Burrell in to score the fourth for Boro.

Overall, we will be very pleased with their performance, causing Boro plenty of problems throughout the game with our pace and movement.

Interviews with Alun Armstrong and Luke Charman, along with match highlights, to come.

Starting team: 

Saltmer: McMahon, Hunt, Atkinson, Liddle, Rivers, Reid, Hatfield, Campbell, Charman, Maguire

Half time subs: on: Hedley, Donawa. off: McMahon, Rivers

60: on: Watson, triallist. Off: Campbell, Hunt

75 on Chidanyika (academy), off Charman