MIDDLESBROUGH’S pre-season preparations continued with a goalless draw against League Two Harrogate Town.

Unlike at the weekend, when Boro scored seemingly at will in a 5-3 win over Doncaster Rovers, chances were much harder to come by at Wetherby Road.

With Michael Carrick resting most of his big guns with the opening game of the Championship season a week-and-a-half away, the Teessiders were unable to penetrate a well-drilled Harrogate defence.

Summer signing Aidan Morris was Boro’s best player, with teenage full-back George McCormick once again impressing as his breakthrough pre-season continued.

Carrick is expected to name his strongest side in Saturday’s final pre-season game with Heerenveen, so this evening’s starting line-up was largely comprised of players who can expect to be on the bench for the opening game of the Championship season against Swansea City.

Rav van den Berg was an obvious exception – the Dutchman will almost certainly be lining up against the Swans – while Darragh Lenihan and Morris will hope to feature in Carrick’s first-choice selection. Aside from that trio, though, this was largely a case of Boro’s fringe players trying to nudge their way up the pecking order.

The absence of Dael Fry was notable, with the centre-half once again missing from a matchday squad.  Fry is nursing an injury, and his lack of pre-season action means he is now a major doubt for the opening weeks of the new campaign.

Lenihan was back in action after missing last weekend’s win at Doncaster, partnering van den Berg at the heart of the back four in the first half before the Dutchman was replaced by youngster Harley Hunt at the break. Neither of the pairings really had break sweat as they dealt with the Harrogate attack.

Sol Brynn made one important first-half save, clawing the ball away from his right after a game of head tennis ended in the Boro box ended with Anthony O’Connor hooking in an overhead kick, but a Teessiders defence once again featuring McCormick at left-back was largely untroubled.

Harrogate goalkeeper Mark Oxley was hardly overextended himself for much of the evening, but there was plenty to admire in the slick way in which Boro’s players popped the ball around, particularly in midfield.

Summer signing Aidan Morris caught the eye, constantly demanding possession and calmly dictating the pace of the game with his sharp passing. The American has made a positive impression throughout pre-season, and should push both Jonny Howson and Hayden Hackney for a starting spot at the heart of midfield next term.

With Dan Barlaser alongside him, Morris helped Boro control the game for much of the night, although clear-cut chances remained few and far between.

Sonny Finch headed straight at Harrogate goalkeeper Mark Oxley after McCormick crossed from the left, before Boro’s right-midfielder went close again as he flashed a shot narrowly wide of the target following another incisive through ball from Morris.

Carrick turned to his youngsters with 18 minutes remaining, bringing on Pharell Willis, George Gitau, Fin Cartwright and James Wilson. With six minutes left, he also introduced Charlie Lennon and Eric Hamelberg.


Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Brynn; Dijksteel (Gitau 72), van den Berg (Hunt 46), Lenihan (Wilson 72), McCormick; Morris (Lennon 84), Barlaser; Finch (Willis 72), Gilbert (Cartwright 72), Burgzorg; Coburn (Hamelberg 84).