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Tribal Football:
Released QPR youngster Ricky Sappleton is trialling with Middlesbrough.
The 17 year-old striker played in Boro's 1-0 victory over Liverpool reserves this week. Tribal Football
Middlesbrough Official Site Reserve Report
Boro Res 1 Liverpool Res 0
ROBERT HUTH returned to action as Boro's Reserves consolidated their position at the top of the table tonight, writes GORDON COX from Central Avenue.
The German international, who has been missing with a broken foot suffered against Tottenham on December 5, played the opening half of a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Billingham.
Not called on to do a great deal, Huth looked comfortable and assured and is hoping the next few days don't bring any adverse reaction.
The game also brought welcome minutes for Fabio Rochemback who has missed a handful of first team games suffering with a thigh strain.
Boro made a bright start and goalkeeper Daniele Padelli was forced into a smart save to deny Ben Hutchinson after he had been set up by Robert Huth.
There were some nice touches for 17-year-old trialist Reneil Sappleton, recently released by QPR, early in the game, but the opening goal after eight minutes came from a senior professional.
A good cross from the left from Adam Johnson had Sappleton contesting aerial possession, the ball fell to Jason Euell who volleyed home in some style from the edge of the penalty area.
Jason Euell - Photo-North News and Pictures
Rochemback was clearly enjoying himself, creating time and space to display a range of passing. One superbly struck low ball through the middle from the halfway line picked out Hutchinson. But with just the goalkeeper to beat, he took too long, allowing defenders the time to get back and his eventual shot hit Padelli.
A few minutes later a precisely placed Rochemback corner picked out Johnson on the right edge of the Liverpool penalty area and a sweetly struck right-footed drive only just cleared the crossbar.
Boro dominated the opening 45 minutes, but a shot out of nothing almost sent Liverpool in level at the break when Besian Idrizaj, just up from the right-hand edge of the Boro penalty area, went for goal with a low drive which saw Ross Turnbull cover well in his first real action of half after 37 minutes.
Half-time: Boro Reserves 1 Liverpool Reserves 0
After a better start to the second half from the visitors, during the early part of which Boro couldn't get out of their own half, the home side settled and almost doubled their lead.
Winning possession midway inside the Liverpool half close to the left-hand touchline, Jonathan Grounds, who enjoyed a good game, spotted Padelli just off his line and went for goal with an audacious effort which the goalkeeper did well to tip over his bar after making up ground.
Liverpool were reduced to 10 men after 66 minutes when Idrizaj, warned on 58 for a foul and booked a minute later for another, was sent-off after receiving another yellow for another foul on Euell.
Boro had matched the upsurge in effort from Liverpool, McMahon looked strong as he continued his comeback, Chris Riggott, unflustered and competent at the back and the trio of substitutions introduced by Steve Agnew blending in well.
Behind them all came another assured display from an admittedly not overworked Ross Turnbull.
Rhys Williams, half-time replacement for Robert Huth, almost made it two with a close range header entering the final quarter of an hour, Padelli happy to tip over the bar.
Middlesbrough: Turnbull; McMahon, Grounds, Huth (Williams 46), Riggott, Goulon (Walker 46), Rochemback, Euell, Hutchinson, Sappleton (Thompson 63), A Johnson. Unused subs: Steele (gk); Robson.
Liverpool: Padelli; Darby, Insua, Roque, Huth, Hobbs (Capt.), Duran (Flynn 17), Idrizaj, Brouwer, El Zhar, Anderson. Unused subs: Roberts (gk); Lindfield
Middlsbrough