Middlesbrough Roller Hockey club came up against a Manchester side who they only narrowly beat to second place in the National Premier League last season on Saturday night. With the Middlesbrough squad now at full strength they were confident Manchester would not take their fine start to the season off track.
Both teams started well, Middlesbrough dominated possession but it was Manchester who looked the most likely to score in the opening 5 minutes as Middlesbrough goal keeper Dan Palmer pulled off a string of fine saves. Middlesbrough’s unbeaten home record extends well in to last season though and once the team had settled they started to tighten up their defence. Six minutes had gone when Peter Lonsdale applied the finish to a well worked Middlesbrough move to take the home side one goal in front.
Manchester weren’t going to roll over though and they tied the game at 1-1 shortly afterwards. This forced Middlesbrough in to action and they found another gear. Middlesbrough started to dominate play catching Manchester on the counter-attack with some well worked goals whilst restricting Manchester’s opportunities in front of goal. Middlesbrough went in at half time leading Manchester by 7 – 1.
The second half started with Middlebrough pushing on, restricitng Manchester to long range shots in an attempt to put the game beyond them. Manchester had reorganised though and were determined not let Middlesbrough pull away. Will Smith, Middlesbrough and England Schoolboy International making only his second appearance for the Teesiders sealed Manchesters fate when he notched up his first two goals of the season, the second of which was an unstoppable shot in the top corner. One more goal was added by Marc Rutland and with Middlesbrough remaining tight and well organised in defence Manchester were unable to make an impression. The game finished Middlesbrough 10, Manchester 3, putting the Teessiders second in the table on goal difference.
Middlesbrough captain Michael Ableson commented after the game “This was a difficult game for us. In previous seasons we have dropped points against teams like Manchester. However, it is testament to the ability of the team that we can not play our best and still win.”
Manchester coach Paul Colton said “I asked my team to stay tight at the back and catch Middlesbrough on the break. This worked well for the first five minutes when I think we were on top. Middlesbrough have a good experienced squad though and overall were better than us today, they look a good bet to take Herne Bay United all the way this season. The game was played in the correct manner and it was only the inconsistency of the referees that let the fixture down.”
John B Jones
