‘One of greatest results in Welsh Premier history’
IT was a result which has caused shock waves in European football and is being hailed as bigger than Liverpool’s remarkable comeback victory over Barcelona en route to a sixth European crown.
Connah’s Quay Nomads pulled off what has been described as one of the ‘greatest results in Welsh Premier League history’ on Thursday night as they overhauled a first leg deficit to Scottish Premiership giants Kilmarnock to set up a second qualifying round clash with Partizan Belgrade.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg held in Rhyl’s Belle Vue, Nomads claimed a stunning 2-0 win at Rugby Park thanks to late goals from Ryan Wignall and Callum Morris’ penalty.
It is a result that could well ensure Wales keep four European places next season, while it is being compared to the Reds’ win over Barcelona; Jurgen Klopp’s outfit trailing 3-0 from Champions League semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp before running out 4-0 winners soon after to advance to the final.
“This is one of the greatest results in Welsh Premier League history and Europe,” said Morrison.
“It is all relative. Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-0 and people said that was remarkable but that (Thursday night’s match) was on a par with it as the gulf between the two teams is huge.
“For us to come here and win 2-0 is amazing.
“We were written off and were 66/1 to win 2-0 and nobody gave us a hope in hell.
“It is a special night in Welsh football.”
Kilmarnock’s Stuart Findlay was shown a straight red card for conceding the penalty, while the Nomads’ goalscorer Wignall was sent off with five minutes remaining after receiving his second booking.
It was a third win in Scotland inside 10 months for Connah’s Quay, who beat both Falkirk and Queen’s Park in the Challenge Cup last season before losing to Ross County in March’s final.
“I heard some stuff before the game – I think it was the Queens’ Park manager who said ‘it’ll be six but I wouldn’t be surprised if they get 10’,” Morrison told BBC Scotland.
“There’s a little message for them there... you don’t write off teams of men. My skipper is 37, Michael Wilde is 35, but they have the hearts the size of lions, and never back down.
“It’s a monumental achievement by them all. The lads are going to get back home at five in the morning, six of them have work tomorrow and then we’ve got to get ready for Serbia next week.”
Partizan have won their home Superliga a record eight times and have a host of Serbian internationals on their books, including 82-times capped goalkeeper and captain Vladimir Stojkovic, while midfielder Zoran Tosic has 76 caps for the Eagles.
Forward Ricardo Gomes has won 10 caps for Cape Verde, while Guinea midfielder Seydouba Soumah has 27 caps and eight international goals.
They will travel to Wales next Thursday for the first leg of their clash in Rhyl again (6.30pm), with the return in Belgrade at the 32,710 capacity Partizan Stadium seven days later.
The Serbians will also be no stranger to Rhyl’s Belle Vue, having claimed a 4-0 win over the Lilywhites in their Champions League qualifying match in July 2009, Partizan then going on to win 8-0 in the return leg a week later.