Middlesbrough let lead slip (From The Northern Echo)

Middlesbrough let lead slip

9:40am Tuesday 29th December 2009 in

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Barnsley 2 Middlesbrough 1

PERHAPS in some ways defeat was a fitting way to end 2009 for Middlesbrough.

After a year in which they relinquished Premier League status, then sacked the manager who started the current season, before witnessing a fall from grace in the Championship that has cast serious doubts on a promotion push, the last 12 have been months to forget on Teesside.

There might have been raised hopes of entering the new year on the back of two successive victories following the comfort of the win at home to Scunthorpe on Boxing Day, but such dreams disappeared in the freezing Oakwell fog yesterday afternoon.

Despite taking a wellearned first half lead when Justin Hoyte’s cross from the touchline flew high into the Barnsley net for his first goal in almost two years, the Tykes responded by grabbing two second half goals from Steve Foster and Hugo Colace.

Instead of sitting seventh this morning Middlesbrough are five points adrift of sixthplaced Swansea before the Welshmen travel to the Riverside Stadium on January 9.

With the right additions in the new year there was enough in Middlesbrough’s first half performance to suggest that closing the gap on the play-off places could still be on in 2010.

And the sight of South Bank-born Luke Williams, aged 16 and six months, becoming the youngest player to play for the club since Tom Murphy in 1904 offered encouragement for the future – even if he did waste a glorious late chance, which he turned over the bar.

But in truth Middlesbrough did little to threaten the Barnsley goal once they had gone a goal up, leaving the near 4,500 travelling supporters frustrated.

A first home win under his management might have been his to savour on Boxing Day, but Gordon Strachan was acutely aware of the need to follow such a morale-boosting result with another in South Yorkshire. His attempts were hardly helped by a worsening injury list.

With Emanuel Pogatetz ruled out with hamstring trouble and Leroy Lita starting a three-match suspension, Strachan could have done without Jeremie Aliadiere joining them, particularly with Isaiah Osbourne and Dave Kitson also ruled out.

But the absence of Osbourne and Kitson – with Osbourne granted a further month’s loan from Aston Villa following the expiry of his temporary stint last night – opened up opportunities for players looking for a chance to shine.

And it was Jonathan Franks, making his first start on the right of an attacking five-man midfield, who started the liveliest, even if it was Julio Arca’s shot from 20 yards that brought the only save out of either goalkeeper before Hoyte opened the scoring.

In fairness to Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele, there was very little he could have done about it either.

With danger looking limited, Hoyte’s driven delivery from the touchline might have been intended for his team-mates inside the area, but instead the ball floated high over Steele before nestling in his top left corner.

It was reward for a bright and purposeful opening from Middlesbrough, showing a confidence that has been lacking on so many occasions in recent weeks, even if creating chances in front of goal was still a problem.

Barnsley, however, had the same problem, with Chris Riggott – starting for the first time since February – slotting in exceptionally well at the heart of the defence to give Strachan food for thought.

Riggott’s first half display was typified by his saving block on Adam Hammill after the winger had capitalised on a slip from Tony McMahon.

Had it not been for the defender’s quick thinking then Barnsley could quite easily have levelled and the same could be said just seconds after the restart.

This time it was not Riggott but his partner David Wheater. Foster and Darren Moore leapt to meet Emil Hallfredsson’s dangerous free-kick into the six-yard area, Coyne’s touch helped it towards goal and Wheater was on hand to hook clear off the line.

There was more vibrancy about Barnsley and, with home supporters sensing the change, Mark Robins’ men did not take long to capitalise.

Hallfredsson was again the creator, delivering a corner that was flicked on to Foster to head beyond Coyne from close range.

It is amazing what can change in 15 minutes, but that was all it took for Middlesbrough to hit the self-destruct button. After Foster’s equaliser, Strachan witnessed his players lose their shape and direction.

Passes that had been finding their targets in the first half started to go astray and when Hoyte dallied in possession before half clearing into the centre of the pitch, Barnsley were given the encouragement they required.

Lively Maltese striker Daniel Bogdanovic picked up play, delivered perfectly into the Middlesbrough box and Argentine Colace charged from midfield to head low beyond Coyne.

In an attempt to thwart Barnsley, who went close to a third when Bogdanovic headed wide at the near post, Strachan asked Franks and then Luke Williams to play as a strike partner for Marcus Bent.

The switch did have an effect, with O’Neil forcing Steele into a flying save at his near post.

It sparked a late flurry of forward play from Middlesbrough as they went in search of an equaliser.

But in truth the closest they came to delivering one was with the last kick of the game, when Johnson’s back post drive hit Luke Williams, whose touch could only take the ball over the bar.

Match facts

Goals: Hoyte (24, 0-1); Foster (48, 1- 1); Colace (57, 2-1)

Bookings: Williams (30, simulation); Wheater (33, foul); Hassell (33, foul); Hallfredsson (81, simulation) Referee: Andy Hall (Walsall) 4

Attendance: 18,001 Entertainment: ✰✰✰

BARNSLEY (4-4-2):

L Steele 6; HASSELL 8, Foster 8, Moore 7, Kozluk 6; Anderson 7, Hammill 5 (Butterfield 46, 5), Colace 7, Hallfredsson 7; Gray 6, Bogdanovic 8.

Subs (not used): Preece, Campbell- Ryce, Macken, Hume, Potter, Thompson.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-5-1):

Coyne 6; McMahon 6, Wheater 6, RIGGOTT 8, Hoyte 5; Franks 6 (L Williams 71), Arca 5, O’Neil 6, R Williams 6, Johnson 5; Bent 4. Subs (not used): Grounds, Taylor, J Steele, Bennett, Emnes, Yeates.

MAN OF THE MATCH

BOBBY Hassell – showed that Adam Johnson can be stopped.