Middlesbrough (Home): North Riding Senior Cup Quarter Final: Saturday 7th January 2012

Result: Marske United 0 Middlesbrough 4    Scorers: -

BORO are through to the semi-final of the North Riding Senior Cup after winning 4-0 at Northern League Division One side Marske United last night. SHAUN WILSON reports.

In a game played under cold, wet, blustery conditions, the home side put up a good fight of it, and it wasn't until the final third of the match that Boro took control.

Marske United included two former Boro players in their squad, with Anthony Ormerod starting, and Mark Taylor on the bench.

Getting off at a brisk pace, the game was keenly contested. After two minutes, Rob Jones caught Connor Ripley after a mistimed challenge, but fortunately the young Boro keeper was able to continue.

The first chance came after six minutes, when Ryan Brobbel let fly from 30 yards but saw his shot go wide of the target.

Chances were few and far between for most of the first half, but on 39 minutes Boro were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Matty Dolan stepped up, but only to see his fierce shot go over the bar and out of the ground!

A minute later Marske had a great chance to take the lead, when a long free kick was headed back and left back Adam Wheatley saw his shot go wide.

Half time: Marske United 0 v 0 Middlesbrough

The first chance of the second half came after 48 minutes, when Charlie Wyke, returning from injury, played in Brobbel. The young Northern Ireland youth international saw his low shot saved by the keeper.

On 62 minutes the deadlock was broken. A free kick was awarded outside the left hand side of the box. Up stepped Curtis Edwards to curl the ball into the back of the net.

Brobbel nearly extended the lead shortly after, but again saw his shot saved.

It wasn't long before there was another goal, and this time it was a cracker on 69 minutes from Boro captain Paul Weldon. Running in from left back, he set himself up from fully 30 yards, and planted a left foot screamer into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance whatsoever.

Boro, with Steve Agnew in charge, were flying now, and went further ahead on 74 minutes through Bruno Pilatos. Again a free kick was given outside of the box, and the right back took advantage with the aid of a slight deflection.

On 87 minutes, the game was wrapped up with a piece of impudent skill from substitute Jake Fowler. After being put through by Wilson Kneeshaw, he was faced with the onrushing Marske keeper. Fowler feigned to go right, the keeper totally bought the dummy, the ball kept on with its forward momentum and Fowler, coolness personified, rolled the ball into the net from outside the area.

Full-time:  Marske United 0 v 4 Middlesbrough

Boro Man of the Match: Boro skipper Paul Weldon, who defended stoutly when needed, and also produced some barnstorming runs down the left hand side. On top of that, the goal he scored, you will not see a better struck ball anywhere this season. Unstoppable.

Teams:

Marske United: Willey, Raw, Wheatley, Marron, Carling, Donachie, Jones (McGill), Gell, Thompson (Brunskill), Ormerod, Burton (Bradley). Not Used: Charlton, Taylor, Roberts.

Middlesbrough: Ripley, Pilatos, Weldon, Robinson, Atkinson, Gibson, Edwards (Kneeshaw), Dolan, Wyke (Fowler), Brobbel, Dobie (Jackson).

Not Used: Montgomery

Attendance: 419