McClaren happy with Boro draw

AZ Alkmaar 0 Middlesbrough 0

Boro became the first side in seven attempts to keep out last season’s beaten semi-finalists at the Alkmaarderhout during the current campaign as goalkeeper Brad Jones and central defender Chris Riggott led a superb rearguard action.

The Teessiders got the benefit of a generous offside decision from one of Italian referee Gianluca Paparesta’s assistants which ruled out Tarik Sektioui’s 13th-minute strike, but McClaren was delighted with the way his side made the most of their let-off.

“To come here and achieve a clean sheet was very important to us against a team who freely score goals,” he said. “I think that’s our fifth clean sheet in Europe this season.

“We maybe had a bit of luck on the way, but you need that, the referee’s decision, the linesman’s decision, we have had them go against us before. Apparently, we had one go for us tonight.

Boro now top Group D with seven points and have yet to concede a goal in this season’s competition, and a healthy victory over Bulgarian minnows Litex Lovech next month could see them finish there and ensure a tie against one of the third-placed sides in the next round.

McClaren set his side the test of doing just that to further establish themselves as a genuine force in European football.

“This takes the pressure off, but there’s always pressure to win,” he said. “That’s the inner pressure you get, and we want to win this group.

“We want to win the last game and make sure we get a good draw for February.”

McClaren was particularly pleased with his keeper and back four, who withstood a battering despite the absence of skipper Gareth Southgate and Franck Queudrue.

AZ ALKMAAR: Timmer, Jaliens, Mathijsen, De Cler, Landzaat, Arveladze (Koevermans 77), Van Galen, Perez, Sektioui (Meerdink 61), Steinsson, Schaars.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Jones, Bates, Ehiogu, Riggott, Pogatetz, Morrison (Parnaby 64), Doriva, Boateng, Nemeth (Queudrue 75), Hasselbaink, Viduka (Yakubu 64).

Avondale 3 Castleview 1

John Caulfield’s Avondale captured the Donie Forde Perpetual Trophy afer a hard fought battle with Castleview at Turner’s Cross last night.

Avondale opened their account after two minutes when Mark O’Sullivan finished from close range.

Castleview missed an opportunity to level when Brian Healy’s 19th-minute penalty came back off the post.

Avondale doubled their lead four minutes into the second half when Andrew Knowles coolly side-footed past Eric Barrett in the Castleview goal.

Castleview gave boss Patsy Freyne hope when Micky Buckley scored after 55 minutes, reacting quickest from a corner.

With Castleview pressing, Avondale scored on the break in the 85th minute when Ian Fraher chipped the advancing keeper to seal victory.

Avondale captain Robbie Giltinan received the trophy from Donie Forde’s sisters.