The curtain came down on Boro's week-long camp in Portugal with a behind-closed-doors training game against CD Santa Clara. The Azores-based outfit, known as the western-most club in Europe, secured a victory with a first-half goal as they gear up for their UEFA Conference League campaign.
Despite the loss, new Boro head coach Rob Edwards found plenty of positives in the encounter. He was particularly pleased with how his players managed to control the game for large periods, showcasing their potential against a team already deep into their pre-season preparations.
Boro emerged as the bigger threat against the Portuguese side, with 23 players getting the chance to make an early impression. The first half was marked by its intensity, but Boro stood their ground against the physical Santa Clara team. After conceding early, they went on to dominate the play.
Alex Gilbert came close to scoring twice, first forcing a remarkable save and then seeing a free-kick deflected wide. In the second half, Darragh Lenihan nearly equalized with a header from a free-kick, highlighting Boro's persistent threat.
The team is set to return to Rockliffe next week, preparing for their first UK friendly against Mansfield Town on Saturday (3pm).
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!