As we approach the business end of the season the visit of relegation threatened Oxford had to provide three points if we were to stay in the play-off hunt.
Jen and I had been to see Boo Hewerdine at Coulby Newham cathedral the night before and I was chatting with Col, an old school-friend. He was a Darlo fan as a kid but is more into ice-hockey these days. He had little faith in the Boro’s prospects of reaching the play-offs and even less confidence that we’d get promoted at the expense of whichever of the top three teams misses out on automatic. He’s probably right, but you’ve got to enjoy the chase whilst it’s still on.
The gig had good acoustics and a well-behaved crowd. Bonus point for the cushions that softened the effect of the wooden pews.
On the morning of the game, I nipped up to Declan Carroll’s stables at Malton to see Hickton, our syndicate horse. Most of the other fellas don’t bother with the stable visits and this time there was only Graham and I. Hickton is a friendly enough horse and likes to have his head stroked. Declan reckons that he’s progressing well, and he has an entry for Redcar early in April.
On this occasion, we drove up to the gallops to see him work with a couple of sprinters. They used the starting blocks and then had a stiff gallop for four uphill furlongs. He was sharply out of the stalls and ran well, keeping up with the faster horses before taking a bit of pulling up. If he doesn’t run well next time, it won’t be for a lack of fitness.
The Boro’s fitness was improving too, with regular centre-half Rav van den Berg making the bench. He got on for the final few minutes, so should now be available for selection. We’d been poor in the first half and went in at the break a goal down. At that stage, it looked as if Col had got it spot on in his play-off prediction.
We kept at it in the second half, with Howson holding everything together from deep. Iheanacho equalised with his first goal for the club and hopefully that will boost his confidence. It’s a loan that seems more in his interest than ours but if he hits form then it might pay off.
The winner, ten minutes from time, was a glorious build up full of flicks and backheels with the final one coming from Borges as he steered it home. It was the sort of move that you’d expect if you were five goals to the good rather than desperately needing a winner as time slips away for keeping your season alive.
The win took us to seventh, with only goal difference keeping us out of the play-off spots. Seven games to go and a Wembley trip is still a possibility.
Tags: Boo Hewerdine, Middlesbrough FC
Trail of the Lion King 
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