Not the result that we wanted
Going into the MD5 league phase game against Panathinaikos, The New Saints were outside of the play-off places as far as the Conference League table was concerned.
Therefore, it was important to get something from the game to keep up the pressure on the other sides that were battling away in order to make the cut.
Sadly, it wasn’t to be, and the final score of 0-2 meant that we fell even further behind.
Proud of the performance
Both Craig Harrison and Danny Redmond, in their post-match club interviews, expressed that although they were disappointed with the result, they were proud of the performance.
You certainly can’t argue with that, can you?
Every player on the pitch – whether in the starting XI or one of the substitutes – gave everything for the cause. Right to the very end they battled away, looking for a goal that would throw the side a lifeline.
An extremely strong opponent
Although it was a defeat, let’s not forget that we were up against an incredibly strong opponent. Panathinaikos have been regulars on the UEFA stage since their European Cup debut back in 1960/1961.
Their starting XI at New Meadow featured nine internationals, including two who played in Greece’s recent Wembley victory against England.
A rebound and a penalty
Although two goals were conceded, as Connor Roberts pointed out in his Sgorio interview, one was a rebound and the other was a penalty.
We often talk about fine margins and that was the case. Maybe on another day things may have been different.
Talking of Connor Roberts, he had nothing to be ashamed of concerning the goals. It was another quality European performance from the ‘keeper.
Down but not out
It’s still not the end of the Conference League road for The New Saints though.
If we win in Slovenia next week and other results go our way, we could still make the cut.
To be in with a chance at this stage is no doubt something that most TNS FC supporters would have taken way back in the summer.
Image: Brian Jones/The New Saints FC.
