Three goals in less than ten minutes
Although Ferencváros had the better of the possession in the opening fifteen minutes, The New Saints held their nerve well, as Connor Roberts wasn’t called into serious action.
However, three goals in relatively quick succession, even at that stage meant that it was suddenly a case of a tough mountain to climb.
Although no more were conceded during the first period, it wasn’t what the visitors wanted, as they made their way to the dressing room.
Two more in the second-half
A brace for Ferencváros in the second-45 ensured that, as far as proverbial mountain climbing was concerned, the peak was extended even further.
Although the result was 5-0 in favour of the Hungarians, in the post-match interview Craig Harrison was upbeat and positive about the effort that the players had put in, and rightly so.
Whatever happens in the second-leg at Park Hall next week, The New Saints will still be competing on the European stage, and so there’s still plenty to play for.
Talking of braces
In the post-match interview at Cliftonville recently, after scoring a couple of goals, Danny Davies said that this season he wants to get forward more and contribute to the goal tally.
Well, he came close to another brace in Budapest, but as we know, it’s all about fine margins and on both occasions they didn’t go the way of The New Saints.
The woodwork comes to the Ferencváros rescue
He’s been at the club long enough for even the casual fan to know what Jordan Williams is capable of, and when he let rip with a thunderbolt strike, it was only the crossbar that denied him a goal at Groupama Arena.
At that stage, even the most positive supporter would have been forgiven for thinking that it just wasn’t to be, which of course proved to be correct.
One-on-one
That it wasn’t to be for The New Saints was confirmed late in the game, when Declan McManus found himself with just the ‘keeper to beat.
Any other time, the ball would have ended up in the back of the net but, it was the goalkeeper who triumphed on this occasion.
Four opportunities for the visitors and if just one, two, three or maybe all of them had gone in, it would certainly be a totally different ballgame altogether.
Lead image: Brian Jones.
