Saints go marching on in the Europa
THE New Saints will face Danish champions Midtjylland in the next chapter of their European adventure after a dramatic late equaliser from Dean Ebbe saw them edge past Lincoln Red Imps in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
JD Welsh Premier League champions TNS held a narrow 2-1 advantage heading into the game at the Victoria Stadium thanks to goals from Ebbe and Blaine Hudson in the first leg, either side of a Joseph Luis Chipolina strike.
After a poor first-half display, TNS fell behind when Juan Montesinos fired the champions of Gibraltar ahead before the break and that would have been enough to send the hosts through on away goals.
The Welsh outfit improved after the break and bagged the matchwinning goal in the 82nd minute when substitute Ebbe knocked in the equaliser to send TNS through 3-2 on aggregate and set-up a third qualifying round tie with Midtjylland.
The goal was greeted by jubilant celebrations with goalkeeper Paul Harrison leading the way.
“I’m absolutely made up to get through to the next round,” he said.
“I was running around celebrating. I had to find out when I went in at the end who scored the goal because I was too busy celebrating.
“I just saw it go in the net. He’s done well, he’s got another one in Europe so that’s another to add to the tally.”
Skipper Harrison admitted manager Scott Ruscoe had a few choice words to say during the half-time team talk after a belowpar first 45 minutes.
“Honestly? He wasn’t happy with us,” he said.
“We had a really disappointing first half so he gave us a bit of a kick up the backside and we played a lot better in the second half.”
TNS are back in European action on Thursday as they host Midtjylland in the first leg at the Cardiff City Stadium as Park Hall does not meet the UEFA requirements beyond the second qualifying round.