Oldham 0 Middlesbrough 3: Boro move serenely past Oldham

Spanish summer signing Kike, on target in the opening-day win against Birmingham, was one of six changes made by Boro as he started on the bench, but the Championship side were still far too strong for their League One opponents.

Boro could have taken an early lead when Jonathan Woodgate met Adam Reach’s corner, but headed over from six yards.

Grant Leadbitter also went close before, on the half-hour mark, Luke Williams took possession 30 yards from goal and hammered in a superb shot.

Boro’s lead was doubled in the 48th minute as Reach crossed and Leadbitter calmly slotted past Oldham goalkeeper Paul Rachubka from 14 yards.

Spanish substitute Kike, who had only just come off the bench, made it 3-0 after an hour when he showed neat control before angling a pin-point 10-yard drive inside the far post. He also lobbed another chance over the bar.

Oldham: Rachubka, Dieng, James Wilson, Elokobi, Brian Wilson, Philliskirk, Mellor (Dayton 46), Kelly, Mills (Brown 75), Clarke-Harris, Gros (Winchester 46). Unused substitutes: Forte, Coleman, Kusunga, Bove.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Hines, Woodgate, Ayala, Husband, Nsue, Leadbitter, Whitehead (Smallwood 70), Reach (Garcia 57), Luke Williams, Fewster (Adomah 74). Unused substitutes: Tomlin, Omeruo, Mejias, Bennett.

Referee: J Adcock (Nottinghamshire).