Boro suffer penalty shootout loss at North Ferriby in Jeff Barmby Memorial Trophy match

Boro lost a penalty shoot-out for the second time in five days, drawing 2-2 at North Ferriby before losing the Jeff Barmby Memorial Trophy match 6-5 on pens.

But there was much to admire in the visitors’ performance, as Jono Greening’s side played some sparkling football, especially in the second half, and created a host of chances, but found Ferriby keeper Jonathan Dash in inspired form, as he pulled off a series of terrific saves.

Jack Waldron in action for Boro at Ferriby, less than 24 hours after signing on a permanent basis for the Seadogs. Photo by Peter North

placeholder image — Jack Waldron in action for Boro at Ferriby, less than 24 hours after signing on a permanent basis for the Seadogs. Photo by Peter North

The first half was evenly contested, Ferriby having the first chance, when a Charlie Dunkerley cross was met by the head of ex-Boro striker Jake Day, who forced a fantastic reflex save from Ryan Whitley.

Boro’s first attack saw Dom Tear glance a header wide from a Lewis Maloney cross, before Ferriby opened the scoring, when a thunderous left-foot shot from Josh Thacker crashed down off the bar and went in off the back of Boro keeper Whitley.

Rio Allan, who later scored Boro's second,. has a first-half effort blocked at Ferriby. Photo by Peter North

Luke Hall tackled Ferriby’s Liam Love when he charged into the area, and Whitley dived to tip away a low Thacker drive.

Boro played some neat passing football.

The superb Alex Brown was halted by a Josh Clackstone sliding tackle on the edge of the box, Lucas Robinson kicked clear when Tear headed a Jack Waldron cross into the goalmouth, then Alex Wiles burst forward and his fierce shot forced a brilliant point-blank save from keeper Dash.

Shortly before the interval Brown burst down the left, and his low cross flashed across a crowded goalmouth, with no one able to apply a finish.

Lewis Maloney is closed down by former Boro teammate Jake Day. Photo by Peter North

Boro made a great start to the second half. Wiles passed to Harry Green, who slipped a through-ball into the path of Rio Allan, whose shot was deflected wide by the legs of Dash, but Green then did brilliantly as he pounced on a loose ball, raced down the left, and squared inside for Mo Fadera to slam into the roof of the net.

Alex Purver teed up a shot for Wiles, but Dash again saved with his legs, and Allan fed Green, whose first time strike was blocked by Clackstone.

Maloney was in fine form, his pass sent Fadera through, and he laid off to Green who fired inches wide.

Boro were in command, Wiles shot narrowly wide, Purver’s through-ball sent Fadera racing past two defenders, but Dash parried his shot, with Fadera lashing the rebound over the bar.

Luke Hall brings the ball down expertly. Photo by Peter North

A Maloney ball forward was blazed over by Allan, a Fadera shot was pushed wide by Dash, and Will Thornton headed a Maloney corner into the keeper’s arms.

Maloney was unlucky when his angled shot struck the bar, before Boro went 2-1 up when Green’s ball from the left found Fadera, whose shot was saved by Dash, but Allan slammed in the rebound.

Ferriby quickly equalised, Olly Green netting from the penalty spot after the ref spotted a handball, then Robinson headed just over.

Michael Duckworth showed great skill to twice turn sublimely to glide past Ferriby players, and late on, Allan curled a shot over as the game ended 2-2, with Ferriby winning 6-5 on pens, as Maloney, Luca Stuttard, Allan, Green and Fadera all scored for Boro, but Wiles had his shot saved by the excellent Dash.

Mo Fadera levelled for Boro at North Ferriby. Photo by Peter North

Boro announced the permanent signing of Jack Waldron on Friday.

A familiar face for Boro fans, the dynamic defender has previously made 65 competitive appearances for the club over two seasons while on loan.

Jono Greening said: "It’s really great to get Wally over the line! He’s a great guy and a very good footballer, he can play multiple positions and is only going to get better with more experience. I am delighted to have him on board."

NORTH FERRIBY (squad) - Dash, Carlisle, Love, Clackstone, Robinson (c), Walters, Dunkerley, Thacker, Day, Boyle, Johnson, O.Green, Jones, Lewis, 2 trialists.

BORO - Whitley, Waldron (Duckworth 46), Brown (Stuttard 71), Weledji, Thornton (c), Maloney, Tear (H.Green 46), Hall (Purver 46), Allan, Wiles, Colville (Fadera 46).

REFEREE - Matt McGrath.

NORTH FERRIBY GOALS - Josh Thacker 16, Olly Green 80 (pen); BORO GOALS - Mo Fadera 51, Rio Allan 76.

GOAL ATTEMPTS - NORTH FERRIBY 5 (4 on target) BORO 17 (10 on target).

CORNERS - NORTH FERRIBY 2 BORO 4.

OFFSIDES - NORTH FERRIBY 1 BORO 1.

YELLOW CARDS - Alex Purver, Kieran Weledji, Will Thornton (Boro).

BORO MAN OF MATCH - Alex Brown.

ATTENDANCE - 249.