Aston Villa

0-3

Middlesbrough

 

 

Wheater 47

 

 

         Morrison 59, 78(p)


FA Youth Cup in partnership with Pepsi
Final, First Leg
15 April 2004

Middlesbrough’s seniors won the first major trophy in their history when they picked up the Carling Cup in February, and now the juniors look like adding the FA Youth Cup for the first time after taking a resounding lead in the first leg of the final at Villa Park.

Boro defender David Wheater opened the scoring early in the second-half, James Morrison added a second five minutes later and then scored again from the penalty spot in the 78th minute to make Villa’s mission near impossible in the second leg, which will be played at the Riverside Stadium next Monday.

And although Villa will count themselves unlucky after making much of the early running and having two chances cleared off the Boro goalline, it was the visitors who ran out deserved winners in the end and now look hot favourites to go one better than last year’s position of runners up to Manchester United.

Villa started the stronger of the two teams and created the best of the early chances. Luke Moore played in Villa’s FA Youth Cup final victory over Everton two years ago and recently made his debut for the first team. The muscular forward made his presence felt alongside Gabriel Agbonlohar, who thumped a volley wastefully over the bar in 13th minute from close range.

A minute later, Boro had goalkeeper David Knight to thank for a superb double save when he stopped a close-range shot from Kyle Nix and then blocked again as Steven Foley drove the loose ball towards goal.

Moore then thundered a long-range shot wide after a powerful run and Agbonlohar put another effort wide.

Boro’s only response at this stage was a curling shot from James Morrison that flew just wide of the far post from 25 yards, and the young England player went close with a similar effort just over the bar shortly before half-time.

But it all changed after the break. Boro coach Mark Proctor changed the shape of his forward line and it paid immediate dividends when Wheater scored two minutes into the second half. Anthony Peacock, the shortest player on the pitch, won a corner for Boro with his persistence on the left wing.

When the kick was flicked across the six-yard box, Wheater hit a less-than-perfect volley on the turn that bobbled before it bounced into Villa’s goal off the inside of the far post.

Five minutes later Boro doubled their lead when Peacock’s pass put the impressive Morrison through on goal, and the forward kept his nerve to hold off defender Paul Green and slide the ball past goalkeeper Robert Olejnik.

Villa still had chances, and Boro captain Anthony McMahon had to clear off his line after Craig Gardner cut the ball back from the byline. Wheater made a similar clearance in the 70th minute with Moore lurking, and from the resulting corner, Villa defender Magnus Troest failed to direct his header towards goal.

Olejnik then did well to save at the feet of Boro striker Tom Craddock, but Morrison put the first leg – and probably the tie - beyond Villa’s reach when he scored from the penalty spot in the 78th minute after being pulled down by the keeper.

The youngster was given warm applause by both sets of fans when he was substituted in the final moments, having effectively killed off Villa’s hopes.

Team Details

Aston Villa: Olejnik, Ward, Troest, Cahill, P Green (Grant 72), Foley, Kabeya (Paul 68), Gardner, Nix, Agbonlahor, Moore.
Subs not used: Masalin, Osbourne, N Green

Middlesbrough: Knight, McMahon, Bates, Wheater, Masters, Liddle, Kennedy, Taylor, Peacock, Morrison (Johnson 89), Craddock.
Subs not used: Roberts, Reed, Cattermole, Hines.

Referee: A. D’Urso