Source: Northern_Echo
Chesterfield 1 Middlesbrough 2
Chesterfield 1 Middlesbrough 2[LNB] THE 700 or so Middlesbrough fans that made the trip to the new b2net Stadium could have been given a glimpse of the future.[LNB] It was not so much the surroundings, more a Carling Cup first round display that provided food for thought.[LNB] From front to back, manager Gordon Strachan witnessed promising performances for around an hour from a number of his players, using a different shape, which should have unearthed options for the Championship he has not previously considered.[LNB] With goalkeeper Brad Jones a notable absentee as talks with Liverpool continue over his possible departure, England prospect Jason Steele proved to be a more than capable stand in.[LNB] Steele, who does not turn 20 until a week today, showed good awareness to play a part in Scott McDonald's early opener and then he was solid throughout, making a number of saves to keep Middlesbrough clear.[LNB] The Newton Aycliffe-born shot-stopper belied his teenage years with a commanding display that illustrated why he has been representing his country at youth level since his school days.[LNB] Julio Arca, impressive alongside a lively Josh Walker and Nicky Bailey in a new-look midfield, added the second 13 minutes before half-time, as Chesterfield struggled to make an impact.[LNB] The Spireites, of League Two, did control the second half, with a sweet header from Dwayne Mattis rattling the Middlesbrough defence that was still able to call on Steele to show composure.[LNB] Having so many players missing through international duty and injury might not have seemed the ideal way to prepare for a trip to Chesterfield, but in a strange way it helped.[LNB] While the Spireites might not have provided a true barometer to the task ahead in the Championship, it did force Strachan to alter his thinking and the team's approach.[LNB] With five players on international duty Kevin Thomson, Kris Boyd, Stephen McManus and Barry Robson with Scotland and Tarmo Kink with Estonia and eight ruled out through injury, the Boro boss adapted to what he had available.[LNB] That meant following the growing trend globally of playing with three central midfielders, including the forgotten youngster Walker, and naming Luke Williams and McDonald as the wing supply for centre-forward Leroy Lita.[LNB] It might not have sounded ideal beforehand, but it proved perfect. Once Steele, with his first real touch, had thrown long and precisely to McDonald in the eighth minute, Middlesbrough soon took control before the break.[LNB] McDonald turned, played a wall pass off Lita, before unleashing a low drive from just inside the box in to goalkeeper Tommy Lee's bottom right corner.[LNB] Steele might have been fortunate to see David Wheater clear off the line from Jack Lester's near post flick, but Middlesbrough always looked more composed and confident in possession.[LNB] Lita's turn and shot arrowed inches wide after a fine pass inside from Justin Hoyte and just after the half hour Middlesbrough had added a second.[LNB] When Chesterfield's Danny Whitaker blasted a yard over, Steele's goal-kick found Bailey and he played a neat pass to Lita. The striker, who many expected to move on this summer, sent Arca clear and he applied a finish that had too much for Lee.[LNB] That is how it stayed until half-time, even if Steele had to dive high to his left to tip away Lester's header from Mark Allott's centre which would have made the second half interesting had it gone in.[LNB] Lita, after a bright pre-season, looked sharp; sharper than he did through the majority of last season, which will give Strachan a different option when Boyd returns for this Saturday's trip to Leicester.[LNB] As the game wore on, Chesterfield, who effectively went with three strikers for the last half hour, threatened to reduce the two-goal deficit on more than one occasion.[LNB] And when Mattis met Whitaker's exceptional centre with a terrific header that looped high over Steele to nestle in his far corner, the home crowd sensed there might have been a shock on the cards.[LNB] Whitaker should have done better than miss the target after a neat one-two with Lester, while the latter was denied by Steele's strong arms in injury-time. A debut not to be forgotten for Steele and a place in round two for the men from Teesside.[LNB] Matchfacts Goals: McDonald (8, 0-1); Arca (32, 0- 2); Mattis (69, 1-2) Bookings: Niven (59, foul); Grounds (62, foul) Referee: Scott Mathieson (Stockport) 7 Attendance: 6,509 Entertainment: [LNB] CHESTERFIELD (4-4-2): Lee 6; Breckin 6, Page 5 (Niven 58, 5), Ford 6, Griffiths 6; Hunt 6, Allott 7, Mattis 8, WHITAKER 8; Talbot 6, Lester 7. Subs (not used): Crossley (gk), Boden, Gray, Clay, Darikwa.[LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3): STEELE 8; Hoyte 6, Wheater 8, Grounds 6, Bennett 6 (Hines 75); Arca 7, Walker 7, Bailey 6; McDonald 7, Lita 6, Williams 6 (Miller 90). Subs (not used): Coyne (gk), Emnes, Smallwood.[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH JASON Steele made a couple of fine stops and showed good handling throughout.[LNB]
