Middlesbrough v Portsmouth 6/8/11

Middlesbrough 2 - 2 Portsmouth
Emnes 24
R Williams 54

A solid Boro performance was enjoyed by 18,194 Boro fans for the opening game of the season at the Riverside Stadium.

Marvin Emnes was first to strike in the 24th minute with him latching on to a Scott McDonald pull back which let Boro lead at half time and looking by far the better team

A lapse of concentration in the first 90 seconds of the second half saw David Norris equalise for the visitors much to the disappointment of the players and the home fans. Boro's heads did not go down and they fought back. In the 54th minute Nicky Bailey played a sublime through ball to Rhys Williams who calmly slotted the ball past the Portsmouth keeper.

Boro controlled the football well as the game entered its final stages but failed increase their advantage which resulted in a Pompey shot deflecting off Matty Bates chin and falling to the feet of Luke Varney to equalise for the second time.

Boro Man of the Match - Rhys Williams

Attendance - 18,194
League Position - 10 (P 1, W 0, D 1, L 0, GD 0 Pts 1)

Game Highlight - Excellent performances from Williams, Emnes & Bailey

Thanks for reading, and as always comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage.