Middlesbrough FC's U21s got their National League Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 10-0 victory over Hartlepool United at Victoria Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Manager Mark Tinkler's side took control from the opening stages. Frankie Coulson put Boro ahead in the fifth minute, with Layton Campbell doubling the lead just three minutes later. Summer signing Ezra Tika-Lemba added a third before half-time, converting a chance created by Isaac Greenup to give Middlesbrough a 3-0 advantage at the break.
Second-half onslaught
Middlesbrough's dominance continued after the interval. Coulson secured a hat-trick with goals in the 50th and 52nd minutes, before Daniel James added a fifth in the 54th minute. Lucca Kakai scored less than a minute after entering the pitch to make it 7-0, and Lucas Harrison extended the lead to 8-0 five minutes later.
Coulson finished the afternoon with two further goals in the 70th and 90th minutes to complete a five-goal haul and seal an emphatic victory.
Next fixture
Middlesbrough's U21s return to Heritage Park on 23 August for their opening PL2 fixture against Norwich City.
