as youngsters step tough night at Pools

Wednesday night's game would have undoubtedly been an excellent experience for many of the younger players.

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The Under-21 league helps develop players technically, but it has its critics in that it can’t properly prepare players for the step-up to the men’s game in the way that the old reserve league did. That was evident in the game.

Nevertheless, to play against a physical side in Hartlepool and largely handle themselves well in it, all the while backed by almost 2,000 Boro fans who made themselves heard, it would have been a special evening for many of those young Boro players. Knowing Edwards was there watching would have only added to the occasion for them.

Perhaps the most interesting factor was the fact that, much like the first team, this Boro side set up in the 3-4-2-1 system.