MIDDLESBROUGH got their pre-season programme off to a winning start as they cruised to a 5-0 win over Northern League side Bishop Auckland.

Riley McGree and Tommy Smith scored before the break, as Chris Wilder used 21 different players at Heritage Park.

Anfernee Dijksteel and Josh Coburn found the net in the second period for Boro, with Bishop Auckland defender Anthony Callaghan also scoring an own goal.

All three of Boro’s summer signings started in the first half, with Liam Roberts playing in goal, Darragh Lenihan lining up at the heart of the Teessiders’ back three and Ryan Giles slotting in at left wing-back.

There was also a place in the starting side for Smith, with the former Stoke City and Huddersfield Town full-back having been training with Boro’s first-team squad last week as he tries to win a contract following his release from the Potters at the end of last season.

McGree was a lively presence throughout the first half, and the Australian almost opened the scoring with a tenth-minute strike that whistled just wide of the post.

Duncan Watmore saw a low shot saved by Nick Liversedge midway through the first half, and Boro claimed a deserved lead in the 35th minute.

McGree drove across the face of the 18-yard box and drilled in a low strike from the edge of the box. Liversedge should probably have saved it, but the Bishops keeper could only help the ball into the net with his legs.

A second goal arrived six minutes later, with Smith ensuring his made a positive impression on his first appearance in a Boro shirt. Watmore laid off Giles’ cross into Smith’s path, and the right-back dispatched a clinical finish into the bottom left-hand corner.

Wilder changed all ten outfield players at the break, and Boro only needed three second-half minutes to extend their lead.

Hayden Hackney swung over a corner from the left, and an unmarked Dijksteel controlled neatly before slotting home.

Cal Kavanagh and Hayden Coulson both failed to convert decent chances against a youthful Bishops side in the second period, before Boro claimed a fourth goal shortly before the hour mark.

Coulson delivered a low cross from the left, and Bishops defender Callaghan sliced his attempted clearance into his own net.

Kavanagh almost added a fifth as he headed Marcus Tavernier’s corner against the crossbar from inside the six-yard box, but Boro did not have to wait too much longer to extend their lead.

Marc Bola picked out Coburn with a threaded through ball, and the striker dispatched a clinical low finish beyond the Bishops keeper.


Middlesbrough first half: Roberts; McNair, Lenihan, Bilongo; Smith, Crooks, Howson, McGree, Giles; Finch, Watmore.

Middlesbrough second half: Roberts; Dijksteel, Fry, Bola; Jones, Hackney, Gibson, Tavernier, Coulson; Kavanagh, Coburn.