On Saturday Kimberly Rushforth from Billingham was in the Press box at Middlesborough's Riverside stadium to report on the game with Blackburn Rovers.
Fifteen-year-old Kimberly's mother, Collen, had bid £120 for the day out in TFM's Make A Child Smile fundraising auction. "I would like to become a journalist, but never thought of sports reporting until now," said Kimberly. This is her report...
Middlesbrough 1 Blackburn Rovers 3
After an heroic attempt in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final, Middlesbrough came crashing down when they were beaten by relegation- threatened Blackburn Rovers.
Throughout the match, Middlesbrough seemed to have most of the possession but Blackburn played well and came out victorious.
Surprisingly, after his unfortunate own goal against Arsenal, Gianluca Festa received a rousing reception from the Boro fans.
Middlesbrough made a positive start and for the first 15 minutes were dominant.
By 30 minutes, Blackburn had responded to Boro's determination and mounted several strong attacks. But, the Middlesbrough defenders held solid.
At the 32-minute mark a hand ball by Blackburn gave Middlesbrough a free kick just outside the box. Franck Queudrue's attempt came to nothing and an instant response from Blackburn pressurised the Middlesbrough defence. Damien Duff flicked the ball over Robbie Stockdale to an un-marked Yordi, who tapped in Blackburn's first goal.
After the restart, Middlesbrough won their first corner, but the opportunity came to nothing. The most memorable incident before the end of the first half was an attempt at goal by Paul Ince, the ball whistling just past the post.
Middlesbrough began the second half with strong determination and, again, appeared to have most of the play.
In the 62nd minute, Ince was badly fouled and Benito Carbone's 25 yard curling free kick towards the top corner forced Blackburn's goalkeeper Brad Friedel into a diving save. Against the run of the play, Blackburn's pressure on Boro forced a 74th minute corner which Andy Cole headed into the back of the net.
Robbie Mustoe was replaced in the 75th minute by Szilard Nemeth.
It seemed as though it was all over for Middlesbrough and, to add insult to injury, David Dunn was dramatically brought down in the box by Queudrue. Dunn calmly converted the penalty himself.
Queudrue's misery continued when, minutes later, he was sent off after tackling Dunn from behind. This sparked several off-the-ball incidents and it took minutes for the referee and linesman to gain control of the players.
Blackburn's victory drums sounded as many dejected Boro fans began to leave.
Nemeth's injury-time goal was well taken but was of little consolation to the fans and manager Steve McClaren.
It was, as McClaren said, "a bad day at the office".
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