MIDDLESBROUGH made a winning start to their domestic pre-season programme as second-half substitutes Emmanuel Latte Lath, Sonny Finch and Delano Burgzorg scored in a 3-0 success over Bolton Wanderers.

Boro saw off their League One opponents at Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park ground, with Michael Carrick giving at least half-an-hour of action to 22 different members of his first-team squad.

Carrick handed a first Boro appearance to both of his summer signings, with Aidan Morris making his first public outing since his switch from the MLS as part of the starting line-up and his fellow new signing, Burgzorg, appearing as a substitute at the start of the second half.

Morris did well in his hour on the field, popping the ball off neatly after receiving possession from the back four at the base of midfield and displaying a level of strength and physicality that should stand him in good stead as he adapts to the English game.

Burgzorg played in a wide-attacking role on the left-hand side after coming on to replace Riley McGree, and showed flashes of attacking threat, particularly when drifting infield, while also converting a late penalty.

Boro’s starting line-up featured both McGree and Josh Coburn, both of whom missed big chunks of last season through injury, as well as teenage defender George McCormick, who lined up at left-back.

McCormick, who was handed a spot on the left of the back four with Alex Bangura absent, produced a composed performance, defending crosses effectively at the back post while also trying to get forward down the flank.

His 17th-minte cross from the left-hand side threatened to cause problems for the Bolton defence, only for Ricardo Santos to hack clear from close to his own goalline.

Boro’s best chance of the opening stages came shortly after, but while McGree rolled the ball back to Isaiah Jones after breaking into the 18-yard box, the winger’s shot was deflected over by onrushing Bolton goalkeeper Nathan Baxter.

Bolton’s first sight of goal came to nothing midway through the first half, with Klaidi Lolos firing wide from 22 yards, but the League One side almost broke the deadlock towards the end of the first half when a stretching Victor Adeboyejo headed Josh Dacres-Cogley’s cross over the bar.

Interestingly, Carrick only made two changes at the break, bringing on Zach Hemming and Burgzorg, with his nine other substitutes coming into the field on the hour mark.

With Boro just about shading things in terms of both possession and territory throughout the second half, McCormick fired over after creating a pocket of space for himself close to the penalty spot.

However Hemming was forced to produce a fine double save to keep the scoresheet blank, with Boro’s goalkeeper parrying shots from both Aaron Collins and Dacres-Cogley.

The Teessiders claimed the lead a few moments later, with Latte Lath scoring within six minutes of coming on as a substitute. Dan Barlaser’s slide-rule through ball sent the striker clear, and after securing possession ahead of Santos, Latte Lath rounded the goalkeeper before rolling into an empty net.

Latte Lath was also involved in Boro’s second goal, which came with 14 minutes remaining. The Ivorian headed Alex Gilbert’s corner back across goal, enabling Sonny Finch to volley home from close range.

It was 3-0 with four minutes left, with Barlaser drawing a foul after breaking onto Burgzorg’s pass into the left of the box. Burgzorg stepped up to convert from the penalty spot.


Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Dieng (Hemming 46); Ayling (Dijksteel 60), van den Berg (Fry 60), Clarke (Howson 60), McCormick (Engel 60); McCabe (Hackney 60), Morris (Barlaser 60); Jones (Finch 60), Azaz (Gilbert 60), McGree (Burgzorg 46); Coburn (Latte Lath 60).