‘RUSTY’ SAINTS LET EURO RIVALS OFF HOOK
Quay need goal but Bala and Llandudno suffer
THE NEW SAINTS are in the driving seat as they look to progress in the Champions League, though the other three Welsh clubs in Europe face uphill tasks.
The Welsh Premier champions will take a 2-1 lead to San Marino after a slender victory over Tre Penne at Park Hall on Tuesday night in the first qualifying round.
Scott Quigley put the Saints in front on 13 minutes, volleying home a Simon Spender cross, but Tre Penne were level three minutes later through a Stefano Fraternali header.
Quigley became the provider five minutes before half time.
His pass was volleyed home by Jamie Mullan, but TNS failed to turn their dominance into more goals.
Quigley, Mullan and Aeron Edwards all went close after the break and boss Craig Harrison was disappointed his side couldn’t extend their advantage ahead of Tuesday’s second leg in San Marino.
He said: “I thought we had the lion’s share of possession and created lots of chances but we just didn’t finish them off.
Progress
“We were very good in the defensive and middle thirds, but we were just missing that final pass or bit of composure in the final third.
“Maybe we were a little bit rusty and needed some more game time. Overall, I’m disappointed because the tie should be dead and buried, but it isn’t and we want to go out there and win. If we play like we did in the first leg, I am sure we will progress next week.”
Of the three Welsh clubs competing in the Europa League, Gap Connah’s Quay have given themselves the best chance of progression following their goalless draw against Norwegian’s Stabaek Fotball.
The Nomads impressed in their first ever European game and will be slightly disappointed they didn’t end the first leg at Rhyl on Thursday night with the lead.
New signing Michael Wilde, who netted a Champions League hat-trick for TNS last season, had the ball in the net twice for Connah’s Quay, but they were ruled out for a foul on keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and offside.
George Horan and Callum Morris both went close, but the Nomads know an away goal in Norway on Thursday will be needed.
Boss Andy Morrison said: “They’re vulnerable at the back and, if we can get a goal out there, it will be difficult for them to score two if we defend like we know we can.
“I feel like we missed a trick because maybe we should have had our noses ahead.We had four or five great opportunities.”
Bala Town will still fancy their chances of causing a shock after losing 2-0 to AIK Solna, with Amin Affane and former Blackburn and Leicester defender Nils-Eric Johansson giving the Swedes the advantage.
Bala had goalkeeper Ashley Morris to thank, with Solna registering 20 efforts on goal, and that could be key with the return leg at Rhyl on Thursday.
A minor miracle will be required, however, if MBi Llandudno are to make it past the first qualifying round following their 5-0 defeat by IFK Goteborg.
The Swedish giants were 2-0 up inside the opening 12 minutes, thanks to Gustav Engvall and Soren Rieks.
Emil Salomonsson made it three, before former Sunderland and Swedish international striker Tobias Hysen netted twice.
It leaves Llandudno needing a major turnaround at Bangor on Thursday.