North Riding Senior Cup semi-final: Stokesley 2 Middlesbrough 1
 
A SPIRITED display from a very youthful Boro side wasn't enough as Stokesley won this North Riding Senior Cup tie to end the club's three-season reign as holders, writes SHAUN WILSON.
 
There was a strong Boro link to the Stokesley side, coached by former Boro reserve striker Andrew Fletcher.

Included in the home side's line-up was skipper Paul Crager, who was a product of the Boro Academy and is now a coach there.

Also on the subs bench was former player Brian Close, who has just signed from Whitby Town, and Boro's commercial partnerships executive, Craig Pinder.
 
Boro started the game strongly and had the first chance after just two minutes when a pass from Charlie Wyke found Jake Fowler, whose first time shot went over the bar.
 
Stokesley hit back and on 12 minutes took the lead. A ball played into the box found Nathan Liddell, who calmly placed the ball past Connor Ripley in the Boro goal.

The young Boro team dusted themselves off and laid siege to the Stokesley goal. Curtis Edwards was off target with a shot, while a teasing cross from Fowler brought a corner.
 
Boro were nearly level on 23 minutes when good work from Wyke found left-back Ben Gibson, pictured, who had ghosted in at the far post. He managed to control the ball and get his shot away, only to see it hit the outside of the post.

Two minutes later Stokesley winger Bryan Stewart swung over a cross that Karl Lilley hit over the bar.
 
The last 10 minutes of the half saw Boro desperately push for the equaliser. Chances fell to both Marinos Andreou and Wyke but to avail. Ryan Brobbel chanced his arm with a couple of shots from distance, one in particular forcing the Stokesley keeper Neal to make a save.
 
A marginal offside decision prevented a great chance to level the match as Andreou drove at the home sides defence, with Edwards and Wyke in support, but the linesman's flag cut any progress short.

Then on the stroke of half-time Edwards wriggled through but saw his shot blocked.
 
Half time: Stokesley 1 Middlesbrough 0
 
The home side had the first chance of the second half when centre-forward Stuart Wise got into a great position, but his shot went over the bar.

On 57 minutes Stokesley nearly extended their lead when a lay off from Wise teed up Nathan Liddell, whose first time shot saw a great flying save from Ripley.

However, they didn't have to wait too long before making it 2-0. Lilley played it through to substitute Andy Jennings, who swivelled well and placed it firmly into the Boro net on 66 minutes.
 
Still chances came thick and fast. On 71 minutes a great run from Cypriot youth international Andreou finished with a pass for Edwards, whose shot was tipped wide.

From the resulting corner, the ball again fell to Edwards, who sent a cracking volley in, only to see it go wide of the target by inches. Five minutes later last week's North Riding Senior Cup quarter-final hero Jake Fowler brought a great save out of keeper Robert Dean.
 
Just as last week, Boro pulled a goal back with just over 10 minutes to go. Substitute Lewis Sirrell played the ball through to Gibson, who sent a sizzling cross to the back post.

Right-back Lewis Galpin met the ball first time, only to see the keeper pull off a great save. The ball came out to Matthew Waters, who finished with aplomb into the roof of the net. Two minutes later the scores could well have been level as a cross from Galpin found Fowler, but his shot was saved.
 
The last 10 minutes saw a grandstand finish but the Stokesley backline held firm, and they now will meet either Northallerton Town or York City in the final next month.
 
Middlesbrough: Connor Ripley; Lewis Galpin, Ben Gibson, Bruno Pilatos (capt), Matthew Dolan, Jarrett Rivers (Lewis Sirrell 72), Marinos Andreou, Curtis Edwards, Charlie Wyke, Ryan Brobbel (Matthew Waters 72), Jake Fowler. Unused subs: Wilson Kneeshaw.
 
Stokesley: Robert Dean; Alex Dougall, Liam Rigg, Nathan Liddell, Paul Crager (capt), Leon Poole, Karl Lilley (Craig Pinder 69), Craig Brown, Stuart Wise (Andy Jennings 60), Lev Yalcin, Bryan Stewart. Unused subs: Brian Chambers, Steven Pennock, Brian Close.
 
Man of the Match: Great performances all round, especially from Curtis Edwards and Jarrett Rivers in the centre of midfield. However, the man of the match goes to Ben Gibson, who was a colossus at the back and was a constant thorn in the Stokesley defence with his driving runs down the left.