Match Review: Boro 4 Preston North End 0

A whirlwind first half from Boro proved enough to see off Preston North End at the Riverside.

Isaiah Jones struck twice and Rav van den Berg grabbed his first goal for the club as Michael Carrick’s side made short work of the Lancastrians to warm the near 25,000 crowd on a freezing cold evening.

Alex Bangura ensured there was one final cheer too when he grabbed his first goal for the club in the final minute to secure a 4-0 win.

Carrick was forced into making four changes from the side which lost to Bristol City at the weekend with Lukas Engel, Dael Fry, and Hayden Hackney all joining the injured list.

The absences paved the way for teenagers Fin Cartwright and Law McCabe to earn places on the subs bench.

It was Jones who drew first blood, though, when opened the scoring inside 17 minutes. Matt Crooks was the provider with a great pass after some great build-up play and Jones showed good composure to apply the finishing touch.

Boro were playing some good stuff and Crooks had a shot deflected wide after Emmanuel Latte Lath looked to get a shot in.

The resultant corner produced the second goal of the night. Dan Barlaser whipped in a great ball and Van den Berg applied the finishing touch to make it 2-0 before the half-hour mark.

Boro were in complete control, playing some sublime football, and Barlaser and Morgan Rogers were both involved in enabling Jones the opportunity to finish well for a second time.

Jones could have completed his hat-trick 90 seconds later after more great play released him on goal once again. This time, Freddie Woodman reacted well to prevent the goal.

Woodman also made a great save early in the second half when he palmed away a powerful strike from Rogers.

The Preston goalkeeper also saved again from Crooks after some great play between him and Jones.

Carrick made a couple of changes with 20 minutes remaining, introducing Sam Greenwood and Sam Silvera in place of Crooks and Jones.

The two subs quickly combined when Greenwood had a free-kick deflected over after Silvera was brought down on the edge of the box.

Greenwood also had a shot blocked by Ben Whiteman after a great ball from Barlaser while Woodman denied Latte Lath following a good pass from Jonny Howson.

As the clock ticked down, Carrick introduced Matt Clarke for his first appearance for over a year along with Alex Gilbert.

Clarke was handed the armband for the final moments when Howson was replaced by McCabe for his first team debut.

And there was still time for another first when Bangura shaped in from the left-side to deliver a right foot strike beyond the reach of Woodman for his first Boro goal.