Middlesbrough v Wimbledon 26/10/96 3.00Middlesbrough (0) 0 Wimbledon (0) 0 FT Wimbledon's record-equalling dreams ran aground on the banks of the Tees despite Middlesbrough drawing a Premiership blank for the fourth time in five games. Joe Kinnear's Dons had looked set to match Manchester United, the only team to conjure up eight straight Premiership wins, but they found a previously ropy Riverside rearguard in resolute form. Middlesbrough had shipped 18 goals in 10 top-flight matches prior to today, the worst defensive record in the Premiership, with one terrace wag on the way into the ground describing the back four as having a hole in it as big as the Titanic. 
It was a defence which was threatening to drag manager Bryan Robson and chairman Steve Gibson's millions into the murky waters of the Nationwide League unless a sudden salvage operation could be mounted. Robson now seems to be on the right lines as Middlesbrough stood firm against Wimbledon's dangerous aerial threat and were more than a match for the pace of the likes of Marcus Gayle, Efan Ekoku and Robbie Earle. However their problems now appear to lie up front, as they have found the net just once, scoring a double against Southampton at the end of last month, in their last five Premiership outings. But from the opening whistle it appeared as if they were going to run amok and make a mockery of Wimbledon's seven straight victories. Bristol referee Steve Dunn's first whistle of the game was the green light for one way traffic in the first half. As early as the third minute Neil Cox swung over a left-wing cross for Dane Mikkel Beck, making his Premiership debut after contractual problems following a summer move from Fortuna Cologne. 
His powerful header crashed against the left-hand upright and from the rebound Italian international Fabrizio Ravanelli blasted his acutely-angled drive over the bar. Brazilian star Juninho and Beck both tried their luck from long range in the ensuing minute, but Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan wasn't troubled until just after the half hour. Ravanelli sent in a cracking 20-yard snap shot which forced Sullivan into what proved to be his only save of the game. Seconds later Boro's dogged defence was disrupted when influential skipper Nigel Pearson was stretchered off with a head wound following an accidental clash of heads with Gayle. His departure and the arrival of Derek Whyte failed to disrupt Middlesbrough's rhythm and steadfastness at the back against a Wimbledon side whose route to goal was permanently blocked. The Dons showed a greater attacking edge during a turgid second half as they frustrated the home side, much to the disgust of the incensed Middlesbrough faithful. 
The Riversiders' best chance of the period came in the 75th minute when Phil Stamp rifled in a rasping 30-yarder which hit the right-hand post and with Sullivan beaten. The closing moments then degenerated into a farce as referee Dunn booked four players in four minutes Wimbledon's Vinnie Jones, substitutes Peter Fear and Alan Kimble, and Boro's Whyte. 
Middlesbrough: (5-3-2) Walsh, Cox, Pearson (Whyte, 35), Vickers, Emerson, Mustoe, Beck, Stamp, Juninho, Ravanelli, Fleming. Subs not used: Barmby, Whelan, Moore, Roberts. Booked: Whyte. Wimbledon: (4-4-2) Sullivan, Cunningham, Jones, Blackwell, Thatcher (Kimble, 82), Leonhardsen, Earle (Fear, 48), Ekoku (Holdsworth, 77), Gayle, Perry, Ardley. Subs not used: Heald, Harford. Booked: Cunningham, Ekoku, Jones, Fear, Kimble. Attendance: 29,758. Referee: S Dunn (Bristol). |
