McManus The Hat-Trick Hero, As The New Saints Secure Historic 4-2 Victory Against FC Viktoria Plzeň

Match Report

Goals: Hudson (19), McManus (30, 54, 76)
Yellow cards: Redmond (59)
Substitutions: J. Williams for Cieslewicz (72), Baker for K. Davies (79), Clark for Redmond (83)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

It was another historic European night for The New Saints, as Anthony Limbrick’s side won 4-2 against Viktoria Plzeň at the Cardiff City Stadium.

An inspired performance from Declan McManus saw the Scottish striker help himself to a hat-trick, after Blaine Hudson had opened the scoring with a superb header.

The result puts The Saints in a strong position to reach the playoff round of the UEFA Europa Conference League, with the return in Pilsen taking place next Thursday.

Although the visitors started the strongest, Plzeň’s Aleš Hruška was the first goalkeeper tested, saving a McManus header inside the opening minute.

At the other end, Limbrick’s side rode their luck slightly, as Pavel Šulc’s shot came back off the post with five minutes gone.

Still causing problems, Pavel Bucha dragged an effort wide for the Czech side two minutes later.

But The New Saints did well to weather the early storm, and got their reward in the 19th minute when they sensationally took the lead. Leo Smith did well to recover a loose ball from a corner, and the number 21 sent an inviting cross into the box.

Blaine Hudson, making his first start since May, powered in a header from the edge of the six-yard-box, as things began to take an unexpected turn in the capital.

Buoyed by the opener, Limbrick’s side continued to apply pressure against the visitors, and with 29 minutes gone, were awarded a penalty by referee, Juri Frischer, for a handball inside the area.

Declan McManus stepped up and made no mistake, smashing his effort past Hruška to score his fourth goal in as many games.

Not many people would have predicted a 2-0 scoreline in favour of The Saints at the break, and things got even better just seven minutes after the restart.

As Louis Robles raced into the penalty area, the number 18 was upended by Lukáš Hejda, and the referee pointed to the spot for the second time in the match.

Up stepped McManus again, and his second penalty was almost a carbon copy of the first, giving the goalkeeper no chance, as he smashed another powerful strike into the back of the net.

Plzen came back into the match as the second-half wore on, with John Mosquera and Jean-David Beauguel both going close with headers.

The Saints weren’t finished though, and McManus sensationally bagged a hat-trick in the 76th minute. The number nine recovered a searching ball forward, who carried it forward, and sent a curling effort into the far corner past the helpless Hruška. It was a goal that gave The New Saints a 4-0 lead on the night.

Things ended on a slightly sour note, as Viktoria Plzen scored two late goals – Beauguel in the 89th minute and Adriel Ba Loua with the last kick of the game – but the 4-2 result still leaves Limbrick’s team in a strong position ahead of next week’s trip to the Czech Republic.