WHEN it comes to blooding teenagers in the Premiership, few do it better than Middlesbrough.

And, for England under-18 coach Dick Bate, it's a scenario which can only be for the good of the game.

Boro have blooded a welter of teenagers this year and it was one of the crop yet to make his Premiership bow who ensured Bate got off to a winning start with his new side on Wednesday.

Bate took control of the under-18 squad for the first time. And after Boro's David Wheater netted the only goal of the game at Hartlepool United's Victoria Park, Bate admitted: "David did well at the back. He read the game well and was alert.

"He decided what ball to play at the right time and he looked a good player.

"Middlesbrough have produced a lot of good, young players of late - we've also had James Morrison, Stuart Parnaby, Jamie Cade and Stewart Downing play at various levels.

"It's especially nice to see the club giving these players the chance to play on the Premiership stage as well. That can only help their development.

"Stewart Downing certainly has something about him. He played in my under-19s side and he is well thought of and has done well for the first team.''

Wheater formed a solid central defensive partnership with Newcastle's Paul Huntington - who was watched by Newcastle Academy coach Peter Beardsley - and Bate said: "It's the first time Paul has played for the side. Normally you like to introduce players with 20 minutes here or a half there, but he came into the starting line-up and settled in well.''

Wheater's first-half header secured the victory and Bate's side were always in control against the Scots.

"It wasn't the best football we could have played, but it was important to keep a clean sheet and win the game as well,'' said Bate.

"It's the first game in charge of the under-18s for me, so it was nice to get off to a winning start.

"There's a lot of pace in the side and we used it to our advantage at times.

"Every game they play and every time they go on the training pitch with England the players will learn from the experience - and we will certainly take something from this game.

Bate paid tribute to staff at Victoria Park, saying: "What a lovely playing surface it is - it's a credit to Hartlepool and the groundstaff.

"It's a very, very good pitch to play football on. Everyone at the club has been good to us and made us feel very welcome.

"I have enjoyed the experience and I'm sure we will think about coming back again.

"It was nice to see a good crowd as well. We are just a couple of days before Christmas and there were about 5,000 in the ground - the crowd has done us proud.''