Boro narrowly beaten at League leader's.
Unlucky Boro lost by the only goal of the game, as they more than held their own against league leaders Farsley AFC at a windswept Throstle Nest.
There was just one change from the midweek cup victory against Thackley. Gary Hepples replaced Dave Kemp, which meant a league debut for young keeper James Hitchcock.
Boro started the game playing into the wind, and were on the back foot immediately, they had a lucky escape after four minutes when a wind-assisted shot by Andy Cooper hit the post.
The had an even luckier escape two minutes later, when Cooper received the ball on the penalty spot with Hitchcock out of position, but with only Mike Price defending Boro’s goal, the Farsley winger only managed to fire straight at Boro left back who headed clear.
Boro were finding it hard to get going playing into a strong breeze and had to thank Hitchcock who made a smart save from Roy Stamer.
Boro finally made some in roads, and a deep cross from Hepples was headed behind for a corner.
Back came Farsley, but again Cooper was well off target, then a whipped in corner from Price just evaded Chris Jenkinson
Just before half time, Boro’s claims for a penalty were waved away by the referee, when after some good work by Ryan Blott and Rich Medcalf; Blott’s shot appeared to hit a Farsley defender on the arm/chest.
Just before the break, Boro had to thank Mike Gibson, who made a world-class tackle on Mark Betts who was clean through on goal.
The second half started with both teams looking to get a foothold in the game, Farsley’s first chance was a cross by Stamer but it was straight at Hitchcock
Then Blott had two chances, firstly a shot from distance that was grabbed at the second attempt by Tom Morgan, then probably Boro’s best chance when he cut inside Nathan Hay before letting fly from twenty-five yards, the ball whistled just the wrong side of the post.
With one goal looking like it would decide this game, it arrived fifteen minutes from time, unfortunately for Boro it went to the home side.
The referee allowed play to continue after what looked like a foul on Gibson, this allowed Gareth Grant time and space to send the ball across Boro’s six yard area to an unmarked Stamer, who fired past Hitchcock.
Immediately Boro replaced Bill Law with Joel Hartley, but the goal seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of them, and as they chased an equaliser, Farsley were able to counter attack and only some good keeping from Hitchcock and last ditch defending from Frank Belt and Chris Jenkinson kept it at one.
Boro’s last chance fell to Blott, but he fired over after a cross from late sub Rob Northen.
A tight game which was always going to be close,, and it showed how much respect the hosts had for Boro as they resorted to taking the ball into the corner for the final minutes.
Not the result we wanted and looking at the table doesn't make good reading, but there are plenty of points still left to play for, if we all get behind the lads, who showed a lot of heart today.
Report from official website.
Boro:
Hitchcock, Belt, Price, Jenkinson, Gibson, Hepples (Botham 68), Hotte (c), Dunning, Blott, Medcalf (Northen 90), Law (Hartley 75) Unused Subs: Ingram, Leister.
