Boro Women kicked off their season with a win against Cheadle Town Stingers at Stockton Town.
Michael Mulhern's first line-up of the season had two changes from the final pre-season game, bringing in Ruby Cook and Millie Bell to replace Laura Wareham and Emma Foster, and Abby Towers missing out due to suspension.
Boro started well, pinning Cheadle deep in their own half with some good channel balls by Bell and Grace Boyes aimed at Jess Mett.
Off the ball, Boro's press was causing Cheadle problems, on one occasion forcing them all the way back into their 18-yard box and subsequently clearing for a throw-in.
The newly promoted side continued to falter to Boro's press. Mett soon carved out a chance for herself thanks to her off-the-ball work, which was saved well by the Cheadle 'keeper.
Ending last season in fine scoring form it had to be Mett to get Boro's first goal of the season, receiving the ball from a throw-in before turning onto her right foot and unleashing a fantastic curled effort into the back of the net.
After the goal, Cheadle went on the offensive, but Ellen Packham and Bell coolly dealt with the deliveries into the area.
Mett once again found herself wide of the box on her favoured right foot and attempted a similar effort to the one that put Boro ahead, only to be denied by a good block by a blue shirt.
Lauren Robson's inch-perfect passing was a delight for Boro's forwards Armani Maxwell and Mett.
As the first half wore on, Boro's confidence grew - on top of possession and playing fantastic football at times - but they couldn't finish Cheadle off with a goal to double the lead before the whistle blew.
The second half began as the first ended, with dangerous spells of Boro possesion. The first chance was carved out by Ellen Turnbull after some good link-up with Giles to put a wicked ball into the box that no-one could apply the finishing touch to.
After being set up by Mett, Robson got the next chance on goal, ripping a low shot that was saved well by the 'keeper. Maxwell latched onto the rebound but couldn't make anything of the scraps.
Mett and Robson's link-up continued resulting in another chance for Boro's number 10, this time hitting a shot over the bar.
Cook didn't waste her first start since April, making two great saves to keep Boro's lead intact, tipping one over her bar and stopping another with a strong right hand.
Despite dominating the game Boro struggled to double their lead in the second half, with Turnbull providing great chances again and again.
Cheadle's attempted to mount a comeback as the game ebbed on but Boro saw off their attempts and came out the other side to claim a well-deserved three points to start their season off
Middlesbrough: Cook, Guy, Packham, Turnbull, Mett, Maxwell (Dale 79), Robson, Giles, Bell, Burn (C), Boyes.
Subs: Wareham, Harland, Dale, Foster, Myers
Cheadle Town Stingers: Bradley, Ahmed (Potier 75), Shepley, Dean, Plant (Ruddock 85), Birtwhistle (Duce 75'), John, Houghton, Gindra (Dunlop 65'), Porteus-Williams, Gillin.
Subs: Ruddock, Coe, Duce, Potier, Dunlop