Middlesborough Promotion Play-offs – Semi-finals 2nd Leg Won 2 -1 AET
Notwithstanding everything else that was going on, the second leg against Middlesbrough still had to be played and manager Eckert (possibly to be known as ‘disgraced manager Eckert’?) included Charles and Matsuki instead of Downes and Fellows. Nothing too surprising about that, except that Matsuki lined up on the left, so Manning, Matsuki and Scienza all attempted to control that flank. It’s hard to find a reason other than that Saints were wary of the threat from Whittaker, but that didn’t stop a simple ball in from their right giving Boro an early lead when the impressive McGree slotted the ball into the corner through a forest of legs. In truth it had been another sluggish start from Saints; on Teesside it had taken 45 minutes to get going and more like 70 to control for any periods so the 15th minute move that ended with Stewart stretching for Manning’s cross and seeing his effort squeeze just wide was crucial in giving us some self-belief. It may also be true that Boro’s attention was now on preserving their lead, although Saints were having to pay respect when their opponents had the ball. You’d have thought that this was an occasion to be squeaky clean but the BBC reports objects thrown at the visiting team coach, and on the field play had to be halted after a complaint invoked the discriminatory language framework – it now seems Harwood-Bellis thought it sensible to mock Ayling’s stammer. Just before the interval, Saints got back on level terms. Scienza was fouled near the by-line, Manning got on the end of Bree’s cross, driving the ball into the ground and forcing Brynn to save well, but only knock the ball further into the air, for Stewart to head home from close range. This was a similar affair to the Ipswich game, with plenty of engaging attacking play but defences good enough to protect their goalkeepers – on this occasion, though, Saints were on top. Referee Madeley may have been used to VAR baling him out when faced with difficult decisions and he waved away several penalty appeals, the most serious being for handball against Matsuki and when Scienza seemed to be shoved in the back by Ayling. Neither side went overboard with their normal time substitutions, but we did have Downes on for Matsuki and, on 84, Larin and Edozie for Stewart and Scienza. No goals in the first period of extra time and we were on to 116 minutes when Charles attempted a cross from the right. Fry would have been happy that he didn’t get a contact that might have resulted in an own goal but he’d have looked on in horror when he found that Brynn had to position himself for a touch and the ball found its way into the corner. On came Bragg and Welngton to try to see the game out with the sides now like two heavyweights in the 15th round. Saints held out – now over to the lawyers…
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
11. Ross Stewart. He didn’t finish the game, but was more effective than starter Larin had been at Middlesbrough… oh, and he gave us a goal.
20. Casper Jander. Has moved from being a midfield makeweight to a key player.
24. Shea Charles. Another scorer, of course, and his late strikes have been a feature of recent months. Would surely have been in the frame anyway.
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