Match report (Carling Cup 2nd round coverage for Eurosport - 21 September 2006).
Notts County defeat 'Boro
A goal from Tcham N'Toya-Zoa fired Notts County to the League Cup third round, much to Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate's annoyance. The Teessiders couldn't score past County's Saul Deeney, despite starting with Mark Viduka and other first-teamers.
"It is very disappointing. It is a competition I wanted to be in, but we are out of it," said Southgate after the match. "That is cup football and it is Notts County's night."
N'Toya-Zoa scored the decisive goal at The Riverside to bring an abrupt end to Southgate's first managerial foray into the competition he won in 2003 as Boro captain.
The 22-year-old''s 26th minute strike was his first goal for Notts County, who currently lie sixth in their division. Many home fans seemed to have anticipated the result, as the attendance was a measly 11,148.
Middlesbrough tried in vain to find an equaliser with captain Mark Viduka, new signing Robert Huth and fellow defender Stuart Parnaby all close to scoring, but it was Notts County's night.
Dismissive supporters may write off the defeat by describing the competition as a "Worthless" cup. The club's victorious campaign in 2003, however, was the source of the club's first-ever trophy and the competition is generally revered with greater fondness in parts of the North-East than elsewhere in the country.
Southgate fielded a strong side with Australian World Cup star Viduka, former Spain international Gaizka Mendieta and £8 million purchase Massimo Maccarone all in the starting line-up. There were notable absences though in the form of Real Madrid loanee Jonathan Woodgate, Nigeria striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu and England winger Stewart Downing.
Boos greeted the home side after N'Toya, who plays for the Democratic Republic of Congo, opened his account for County. Middlesborough failed to find an immediate response and, despite testing the County keeper on several occasions late on, including the unlikely sight of the hulking Viduka attempting an overhead kick, paid the price to the disdain of the Riverside faithful.
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