Town registered their second home League win of the season with a sometimes brilliant and occasionally frustrating performance. First half goals from Richard Naylor and Mark Venus put Town two-up with a deflected Dean Gordon freekick giving fans the usual nailbiting end to the game.
The Blues lined up as at Bradford and quickly imposed their passing style on the game. Town put on the pressure with Boro only showing anything on the break. However, the best early chance fell to Boro striker Hamilton Ricard. The ball broke from midfield to find the Columbian in space and one-on-on with Richard Wright. Luckily for the Blues Ricard’s shot was more like a passback and the North Stand had a bit of a giggle.
Eventually the weight of possession told and Town went ahead. A ball was played over the top and was chased towards Mark Crossley by Matt Holland. Crossley tried to clear the ball, but found only Richard Naylor who banged the ball home from about 35 yards out. It was Naylor’s first goal since Wembley.
Almost immediately Town went two up. Mark Venus hammered a freekick through the Boro wall from just outside the area for his second goal of the season.
Town were very comfortable as the rest of the half was played out. Stewart, Jermaine Wright, Naylor and Holland all went close to adding to the total as the Blues were dominant, although Dean Gordon went close with a shot after a mix-up in the Town defence. Another late highlight was the tactical substitution of Hamilton Ricard who was clearly not pleased with his manager’s decision. Off he stomped in the direction of the dressing rooms with not a look to Bryan Robson.
The second half saw Town start just as on top early on, but gradually the tendency to sit back on a lead became all too evident. As in previous games this helped the opposition to get more into the game and, as with West Ham and Arsenal, Middlesbrough scored.
Dean Gordon took a freekick just outside the area which hit either the wall or a Boro player and went the opposite way to Richard Wright.
After conceding this shock goal Town rather fell to bits. The ball was hammered out rather than passed as the Blues for the first time were put under pressure.
Marcus Stewart was replaced by David Johnson, while for Boro Brian Deane went off with a nasty looking head injury.
Christian Karembeu endeared himself to fans when he had a bit of a slapping fit while referee Neale Barry (up to the same standard as against West Ham) was talking to Steve Vickers. Both Clapham and Jermaine Wright felt Karembeu’s hand and Barry spoke to the Frenchman, but took no further action.
Town were denied a penalty as a hand clearly made contact with the ball as a long-ball was pumped forward.
Gradually Town got themselves back into their usual style and David Johnson came close with a header.
Finally the whistle blew and another three points were in the bag. The afternoon had started with Town well on top, but ended with an occasionally desperate scramble. This sitting back tendency really must be knocked on the head. For starters my nerves can’t handle it.