news-engine

Middlesbrough recorded revenge on Doncaster in the Carabao Cup second round with a 3-1 win, the two sides met at this stage of the competition last season, with Rovers' stunning Boro with a 4-0 victory at the Riverside. Kyle Joseph's bicycle kick opened the scoring, with Will Lankshear and Jeremy Sarmiento both finding the net in second-half. Isaac Hutchinson's late strike proved to be just a consolation for the hosts. Story of the Match Team News: Doncaster (3-4-2-1): Clarke; Grehan, McCann, McGrath; Sterry, Gotts, Robinson, Senior; Adelakun, Hutchinson; May Subs: Simkin, Bailey, Broadbent, Hanlan, Ayinde, Byrne, Thomas, Pawlak, Swales Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Brynn; Arfsten, Ayling, Jones, Borges; Peart-Harris, Berhalter; Whittaker, Sarmiento, Joseph; Castledine Subs: Vitek, Brittain, Phillips, Lankshear, McGree, Morris, Strelec, Kante, Cartwright Grant McCann made five changes from the goalless draw with Barnsley, Hutchinsonwas brought back into the start line-up, the midfielder scored 15 goals for Cheltenham in League Two last season. Kim Hellberg also named five changes, following Boro’s 2-1 defeat to Blackburn, striker Lankshearwas named on the bench, Adilson Malanda wasn’t named in the match-day squad. The visitors started brightly with Sebastian Berhalter having the first shot of the game, his strike narrowly firing over Joshua Clarke’s crossbar from the edge of the area. Rovers created a huge change in the sixth minute, Alfie May dispossessed Boro in midfield, and the ball fell to Hutchinson, his low strike was palmed away by Sol Brynn. McCann’s side came forward again in the 14th minute, Jack Senior teed up May, but his effort was too close to the Boro shot-stopper. Myles Peart-Harris broke through the Doncaster midfield before being brought down by Robbie Gotts, who was shown the first yellow card of the evening. Just before the half hour mark Morgan Whittaker cut inside and saw his low strike saved by Clarke. Clarke was called into action again just three minutes later, but Berhalter’s strike was comfortable for the former Northern Ireland youth international. Boro asked more questions of Clarke; Whittaker again testing the keeper from distance. Hellberg’s side were rewarded for their positive start in the 34th minute. Sarmiento toyed with Hutchinson and Senior before crossing into a dangerous area. The ball fell perfectly to Joseph, who struck with a stunning bicycle kick from close-range. Peart-Harris was booked in first half injury time for bringing down Gotts. Doncaster captain Jamie Sterry pulled up just before half-time and was replaced by Owen Bailey at the break. Bayley McCann, son of manager Grant, had the first chance of the second half, nutmegging Max Arfsten before firing well over the bar. Hellberg made a double change in the 57th minute Callum Brittain and midfielder Aidan Morris replaced Arfsten and Berhalter. Middlesbrough looked to extend their lead, Brittain's cross was deflected behind by Jay McGrath. Leo Castledine's close-range strike from the corner was deflected behind, but the referee awarded a goal-kick. The Teessiders dominated the early stages of the second period, Neto Borges' cross was headed wide by Joseph. McCann then rolled the dice making a triple change in the 68th minute including Brandon Hanlan replacing May, who saw very little of the ball after the break. Rovers had a big chance to level, with 20 minutes to play, Seán Grehan poked goal-wards leaving Brynn scrambling, with the ball rolling wide of the post. Hellberg hands debut to £7 million defender Defender Ashley Phillips was handed his Middlesbrough debut, coming on alongside former Spurs youth teammate Lankshear. Phillips was dispossessed minutes after coming on but Brynn was alert and made a comfortable save to deny Leon Ayinde's tame effort. The visitors extended their lead in the 78th minute, Whittaker tried to force a way through and the ball fell to Lankshear, who slotted past Clarke from close range to score his fourth goal for the club. Middlesbrough could have had a third in the 83rd minute, Lankshear set up Whittaker but Clarke pushed away with his boot, Borges' follow up was blocked behind by Darren Robinson. Sarmiento got on the scoresheet in the 87th minute to extend the lead to three. Phillips played a perfectly timed ball over the Doncaster backline and Sarmiento lobbed the outrushing Clarke. McCann's side looked for a late consolation, Ayinde's shot was blocked by Phillips and McGrath's effort dragged wide of Brynn's post. Just a minute later, Rovers did find the back of the net, the ball evaded Phillips who was in a tussle with Hanlan, Hutchinson got in behind and drilled into the bottom left corner. Player of the Match - Jeremy Sarmiento The winger caused problems for the Donny defence and provided the assist for the opener after easing past Hutchinson. Sarmiento timed his run to perfection for his goal, getting in behind the defence before lobbing over Clarke and into the empty net. After his goal at the weekend, a goal and an assist tonight will give the Ecuadorean winger a confidence boost ahead of the midday clash with West Brom on Saturday.