'Boro Taylor-made for Cup

Last year’s FA Youth Cup finalists Middlesbrough look to be well on their way to reaching the final for a second successive year with an impressive away victory at Crewe’s Gresty Road ground.

Things looked good for Crewe prior to the match when all of their injury doubts were declared fit to play. It was 'Boro, however, who started the brightest with Tony McMahon, Jason Kennedy and Anthony Peacock all being denied by Crewe’s Welsh U17 international 'keeper Owain fon Williams in the first half. Crewe’s best opportunity came as the result of an indirect free-kick 14 yards out, but the 'Boro wall did its job against England U19 striker Kyle Wilson’s shot.

Middlesbrough continued in the same vein in the second half and their persistence eventually paid off when Tom Craddock broke the deadlock in the 56^th minute. Peacock’s long-range effort was too hot for Williams to handle and Craddock reacted the quickest to net from the edge of the 6 yard box.

Only 3 minutes later the match was sealed in 'Boro’s favour when Andrew Taylor unleashed a magnificent drive past Williams from all of 30 yards. Crewe pushed to get back into the game and efforts from both Wilson and Northern Ireland U19 international Michael O’Connor came close to reducing the deficit. However, it wasn't to be and Mark Proctor’s Middlesbrough side must now be confident of sealing the tie at the Riverside on the 7^th of April.

Middlesbrough
Knight, McMahon, Bates, Wheater, Masters, Morrison, Taylor, Liddle, Craddock, Peacock, Kennedy, Subs: Johnson, Pennock, Cattermole, Hines, Owens.

Crewe Alexandra
Williams, Coo, Lloyd, Roberts, Bignot, Kerr, Howard, Bond, Wilson, O’Connor, Maynard, Subs: Tuft, White, Fletcher, Holroyd, Flynn,