Middlesbrough Women's season began with disappointment as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Boldmere St Michaels on Sunday afternoon. Manager Joe Lillie's side had chances to take something from the match but were unable to find the back of the net.
Early Chances
Boro had the opening chance of the game when Armani Maxwell floated a corner into the box, only for it to be cleared away just narrowly over the bar in the six-yard area. Newly promoted Boldmere showed little fear and pressed Middlesbrough aggressively, looking to force errors during Boro's spell of possession.
Despite not being on top form, Lillie's side still looked dangerous going forward. Olivia Watt's strike from range flew just high of the crossbar, while Maxwell almost levelled with a well-struck effort from distance that also rose above the bar. Boro's frontline pressed high and nearly forced Boldmere into an own goal, but last-ditch defending kept the hosts level.
Second Half Frustrations
The second half continued in similar fashion, with Boro enjoying large spells on the ball but Boldmere frustrating them and making them work for chances. With half an hour remaining, Lillie made a double substitution, bringing on Mille Bell and Niamh Boothroyd for Leanna Giles and Ellen Turnbull.
Becky Ferguson dragged a chance from inside the box wide of the post as Boro's frustrations in front of goal grew. Boothroyd made an immediate impact, driving a shot into the bottom corner from outside the box, but the keeper saved it. Erin Nelson came on for Sarah Burn as Middlesbrough searched for the equaliser.
Goalkeeper Borthwick made a good save late on, tipping a Boldmere counter-attack onto the bar, but Boro exhausted everything searching for an equalising goal without success.
