Blaine Hudson
Back from injury, and straight into the side, Blaine Hudson opened the scoring with a superb header in the 19th minute.
Although his own personal run of scoring in every European game he’s played in came to an end, nevertheless Leo Smith will be pleased with the assist, as his inch-perfect cross was met by Hudson.
Back to Blaine though, his defensive contribution on the night was superb, with blocks, tackles and headers all contributing to an excellent personal performance.
Declan McManus
Although it’s true to say that every player on the pitch was a star, scoring a hat-trick certainly made Dec’s light just that little bit more brighter as far as attention was concerned.
The new signings have slotted in very well indeed, and Declan is the leading goalscorer in the Europa Conference League so far this season, with six goals.
Incidentally, the aforementioned Leo Smith is fifth, with four to his name.
The last time a TNS player scored a hat-trick in Europe was in 2015/16, when Mike Wilde found the net three times in the game against B36 Tórshavn.
Penalties
Penalties have been, quite literally, hit and miss as far as TNS is concerned in recent years. Apart from shoot-outs, which involve numerous players, it seems, based on what we’ve seen so far, that the club has now got its man on that front.
Scoring twice on the night – adding to the one against Glentoran at home – the hat-trick of goals that Declan McManus has bagged from the penalty spot have all been extremely well-executed and delivered with total confidence.
European Statistics To Date
As we put to Anthony Limbrick in his pre-match press conference, it’s been an impressive campaign so far. That continues, as the record now reads four wins and one draw, with seventeen goals scored and four conceded.
It goes without saying, that this is The New Saints’ best season in Europe. It’s also good for Welsh football in general, as the results will go a long way in terms of securing future maximum domestic representation in European competition.
Mixed Emotions Come The Final Whistle?
How did you feel once the final whistle had been blown? No doubt you were ecstatic at 4-0 but two late goals – one with the final kick of the game – meant that perhaps there was an edge of disappointment?
However you look at it though, the team goes to the Czech Republic next week with a two-goal advantage.
If The New Saints find the net on the night in the ninety minutes, it means that FC Viktoria Plzeň will have to score four in open play to progress in the competition. Three would take the game to a penalty shoot-out.
Lead image courtesy of Brian Jones.
