Match Review: Boro U21s 3 Man United U21s 2

A stunning turnaround saw Boro U21s deservedly bag all three points against Manchester United U21s.

Despite bossing the game, two early goals gave the young Teessiders a mountain to climb but Sonny Finch’s strikes, either side of half-time, restored parity before substitute Ajay Matthews completed the remarkable comeback.

Alongside the absence of Dan Nkrumah, following his short-term loan to Dagenham & Redbridge, Mark Tinkler made a handful of alterations to the side that defeated Norwich City seven days ago.

Joe Gibson was rewarded for last week’s decisive goal with a first start of the season, and he was joined by Luke Woolston, Law McCabe and Shea Connor in the line-up.

On a nippy northeast evening, the young Teessiders were making early headway and a succession of short corners saw the clearest route to goal.

Initially firing into the arms of Elyh Harrison, McCabe looked for the opposite corner next time around – his volleyed effort landing the wrong side of the post.

Boro’s harrying was causing the United backline, including 37-year-old Tom Huddlestone, all sorts of problems and Finch was unfortunate to see the keeper’s hashed clearance fall back into his arms after a deflection.

The England youth international would go close again with the Teessiders' next attack, powering into the hands of Harrison following another changeover.

Tinkler’s charges were playing some fantastic stuff, but the visitors weren’t without their own chances as Ethan Wheatley crept wide on the break.

And in a game of fine margins, two tight calls fell against the Boro. First Ashton Missin fired home while the Teessiders appealed for offside and then the flag was raised at the other end as Finch raced through on goal.

The corners kept clocking up for the hosts and a deft header saw the ball land on the roof of the net before Gibson arrowed narrowly wide.

Yet somehow the visitors found themselves two goals to the good as an own goal left Connor with no chance.

Though it wasn’t for long. Finch capitalised on a loose pass and stroked into the corner to give us a route back into the contest before the break.

The second period continued in similar vein - Gibson bent beyond the upright after George Gitau’s clever interception.

And Boro were back on level terms within eight minutes of the restart, Finch beating Huddlestone to the ball and slamming in via the post.

It was nothing more than the young Teessiders deserved and with half an hour remaining Tinkler smelled blood, striker Ajay Matthews brought into proceedings.

The opportunity for the hat-trick arrived from a quick set-piece, Finch setting his sights at 20 yards and driving over the crossbar.

Winning four of their previous six, United still posed a threat going forward and Connor had to be at full stretch to deny an ambitious long-range effort.

Huddlestone was next to try his luck, connecting well but the shot was always heading over.

Six minutes from time the turnaround was complete with Finch this time the architect. Breaking at pace, he slipped through Matthews to strike at goal from 25 yards, a deflection taking it above Harrison and into the roof of the net – nothing more than Boro deserved.