Sporar a scorer again
BORO ARE WILD ABOUT ANDRAZ AND FOLARIN
ANDRAZ SPORAR grabbed his seventh goal of the season to spark Middlesbrough’s hopes of promotion.
But it was Folarin Balogun who shone and staked his claim for a first Boro start in Friday’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United after his decisive impact off the bench.
Boro were labouring when, in the 56th minute, Chris Wilder sent on the Arsenal youngster in place of fellow loanee Aaron Connolly and within seconds, the decision looked inspired. With his first touch, the 20 year-old took Marcus Tavernier’s pass in his stride before squaring for Sporar to slide the ball home for his fourth goal in the last six games.
But it was not straightforward for Boro against a spirited Coventry side who could have scored either side of Sporar’s winner.
Defender Kyle McFadzean crashed a shot against the underside of the bar following a poor Matt Crooks’ clearance and
Joe Lumley had to pull off an acrobatic tip-over to keep out Callum O’Hare.
“We now have gamechangers on the bench,” said Wilder. “We needed a spark from somewhere and we certainly got that with Flo.
“It wasn’t a standout performance as we gave the ball away cheaply, but it was a good result against one of the best we’ve played.”
Coventry boss Mark Robins was stunned. “I should be sitting here talking about a win, never mind a defeat,” he said.
“It was a brilliant away performance but not the result. We got it wrong once in the game and they took advantage.”
The visitors had edged the opening period and had the best chance of the half when Jamie Allen set up O’Hare, whose first-time effort on 43 minutes was beaten away by Lumley.
O’Hare was at the heart of Coventry’s slick passing but too often they flattered to deceive with poor decisionmaking in the final third.
Jordan Shipley shot straight at Lumley from inside the box while Josh
Eccles fired inches wide two minutes later.
Boro had few scares after the goal and McNair was within inches of doubling their lead in the 66th minute when he headed Tavernier’s corner on to the upright. MIDDLESBROUGH: Lumley 6; Dijksteel 7, Fry 7, McNair 8; Jones 6, Crooks 6, Howson 6 (Payero 56, 6), Tavernier 6, Taylor 6; Sporar 7, Connolly 5 (Balogun 56, 7).
Subs not used: Daniels, Peltier, Watmore, Bamba, Coburn.
COVENTRY CITY: Moore 6; Hyam 6, McFadzean 6, Clarke-Salter 6; Eccles 7, Sheaf 5, Shipley 6 (Waghorn 68, 6), Bidwell 6 (Maatsen 77); Allen 6 (Hamer 63, 5) O’Hare 7; Gyokeres 6. Subs not used: Wilson, Rose, Waghorn, Maatsen, Da Costa, Howley, Hamer.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Paddy McNair. A commanding defensive display from the Northern Ireland international.
REFEREE: Matthew Donohue 6.