The New Saints 0-0 FC Petrocub: match report

Match Report

Red cards: J. Williams (40)
Substitutions: Baker for Clark (61), Cieslewicz for Holden (61), McManus for Marshall (71), D. Williams for Redmond (90+4)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

Despite a 0-0 draw at home against FC Petrocub, The New Saints suffered a disappointing exit from the UEFA Europa League.

Craig Harrison’s side were unable to find the two goals they needed to advance in the tie, and will now need to win in the UEFA Conference League play-off round to secure league phase qualification.

The Saints will face the losers of the tie between FK Panevėžys or Maccabi Tel Aviv, with the Lithuanian and Israeli sides playing their second leg on Thursday.

It was a cagey start from both teams, and neither goalkeeper was worked inside the opening 15 minutes.

With 20 minutes on the clock, however, The New Saints had a great chance to pull themselves level on aggregate.

After a deft touch from Ben Clark, the ball fell kindly for Brad Young inside the Petrocub penalty area. The former Aston Villa man failed to get a clean connection though, and his effort rolled tamely behind for a goal kick.

Four minutes later, Young was involved again, but after spinning with the ball inside the box, his effort was wide of the right post.

Despite chances falling TNS’ way, the visitors from Moldova remained dangerous, and with 29 minutes on the clock, Dan Pușcaș sent a chipped effort high over Connor Roberts’ goal.

Three minutes later, Ben Clark volleyed wide from the edge of the penalty area, before chaos descended five minutes before the half-time break.

The JD Cymru Premier champions were dealt a big blow following a VAR review, when referee, Robert Jones, showed Jordan Williams a straight red card for an elbow on Ion Jardan.

It looked like an uphill battle for The Saints at that stage, but they were given a lifeline in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, when the visitors also received a red card of their own.

Pușcaș’ challenge on Josh Daniels resulted in his second yellow, leaving the match 10 vs 10 for the entirety of the second-half.

Things continued in a cagey fashion following the restart, and the first chance of the second period went the way of Petrocub.

In the 59th minute, Vladimir Ambros forced forced Roberts into a close-range save, but the Wales C international stood up to deny him.

Four minutes later, Danny Redmond sent a left-footed volley wide from just outside the penalty area, as The Saints continued to search for the goal that would’ve levelled the aggregate score.

Ten minutes from time, substitute, Declan McManus, fired wide from the edge of the six-yard box, before Roberts pulled off a vital stop to gather the ball at the feet of Victor Mudrac.

Time was running out for Harrison’s side, but with six minutes indicated by the fourth official, the tie was by no means over.

In the first of those additional minutes, Daniels had the final chance of the match from the edge of the penalty area, but couldn’t get a clean connection on the ball, allowing the goalkeeper to pull off a comfortable save.

The match ended goalless on the night and 1-0 to FC Petrocub on aggregate, meaning The New Saints suffered a disappointing elimination from the UEFA Europa League.

All hope is not lost for the Welsh champions yet however, as they have another opportunity at league phase qualification in the UEFA Conference League.

In the play-off round, The Saints will face either FK Panevėžys (Lithuania) or Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) and will find out their opponents on Thursday.

Before that match takes place though, the JD Cymru Premier makes its long-awaited return, with TNS beginning their defence of the trophy on the road against Flint Town United this coming Friday (August 16th).