Husband injury takes shine off Boro victory
MIDDLESBROUGH left- back James Husband suffered a serious injury as Aitor Karanka’s Premier League newcomers launched their pre- season campaign with a 6- 0 romp away to National League side York City.
A year ago, Boro defender Alex Baptiste broke a leg when the Teessiders won 1- 0 at Bootham Crescent.
And, yesterday, as Baptiste made his long-awaited comeback at the scene of his distress, lightning struck twice with Husband sustaining a shoulder injury.
Boro boss Karanka admitted: “Once again, the last thing I was thinking about was the result, because, once again, we had an injury.
“That is the worst thing when you are playing in pre-season.
“For me, these games are really just like a training session and, when you go home with an injury, it’s not good.
“I hope Hubby is back with us as soon as possible.’’
Scotland striker Jordan Rhodes grabbed a brace and David Nugent, Albert Adomah and Adam Reach were also on target for Boro after York keeper Scott Flinders had opened the scoring with an own goal.
Boro’s £ 12million Dutch midfield signing Marten de Roon, who arrived from Italian side Atalanta, made his debut after the break as Karanka fielded two different teams in either half.
MOTHERWELL beat DUMBARTON 2-1 away from home after falling behind to an overhead- kick from Robert Thomson. Ross MacLean equalised before a mix- up in the Dumbarton defence allowed Craig Moore in to score the winner.
ST JOHNSTONE won 2-1 at GLENTORAN through goals from Steven McLean and Chris Kane. Chris Lavery scored for the home side.
A double from Chris Erskine gave PARTICK THISTLE a 2-1 win at MORTON, who scored through Michael Tidser but Ross Forbes missed a secondhalf penalty for the home side.
DUNDEE UNITED cruised to a 5- 0 win over BRECHIN CITY in the Forfarshire Cup at Glebe Park.
Justin Johnston sent them on their way with a sixthminute strike and Scott Fraser doubled their advantage in 33 minutes.
Blair Spittal and Simon Murray added goals before half-time, and Murray completed the scoring with 13 minutes left with a great strike from just outside the box.
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH reached today’s final of the Raydale Cup where they will face South Shields after thumping GRETNA 2008 6- 1. Andy Dowie scored a first-half double and Aidan Smith and Steven Rigg were also on the scoresheet before the break as Queens led 4- 0. Derek Lyle netted two in the second half.
SOUTH SHIELDS beat AYR UNITED 2- 0 with Julio Arca scoring twice late in the first half, his second from a penalty.