The New Saints 2-0 Astana: match report

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1849511399053042003

Goals: Holden (40), McManus [P] (78)
Yellow cards: Craig Harrison (43)
Substitutions: Clark for Holden (71), Wilson for Brobbel (71), Cieslewicz for J. Williams (88), Canavan for McManus (90+5)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints made more UEFA Conference League history, as they defeated Astana 2-0 at The New Meadow.

A first-half Rory Holden header, and a penalty for Declan McManus in the second, helped the JD Cymru Premier champions secure another famous result.

Craig Harrison’s side now climb to 19th in the league phase table, and will be looking for a repeat performance in Dublin against Shamrock Rovers in two weeks’ time.

It was the away side who went close to breaking the deadlock with just five minutes on the clock, courtesy of Ramazan Karimov.

Receiving the ball of the edge of the penalty area, the Astana number 81 watched a driven effort come back out off the left post, before the danger was scrambled clear.

Two minutes later, Connor Roberts was called into action for the first time, as he pulled off a smart save to deny Stanislav Basmanov.

Down the other end, Declan McManus could’ve given The New Saints the lead in the ninth minute, but visiting goalkeeper, Aleksandr Zarutskiy, denied the Scottish striker from close range.

In the 20th minute, McManus had another good opportunity to find the opening goal, but after connecting with Jordan Williams’ cross on the edge of the six-yard box, failed to beat the goalkeeper.

After a brief lull in the action, the visitors had another opening with 32 minutes on the clock, as striker, Karimov, headed over from the centre of the penalty area.

The first goal of the game arrived five minutes before the half-time break, however, and it was a historic one, as The New Saints scored it.

After a fast counter-attack, Rory Holden connected with Jordan Williams’ cross from the left and powered a header past Zarutskiy from the edge of the six-yard box.

Craig Harrison’s side started the second-half strongly too, and in the 49th minute, Josh Daniels sent an effort over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

Three minutes later, Zarutskiy came to his side’s rescue, as he pulled off a superb double save, first to deny Dan Williams, and then Declan McManus.

Astana continued to fashion chances themselves, and in the 55th minute, Nnamdi Ahanonu drilled narrowly wide from just outside the penalty area.

Moments later, Elkhan Astanov fired over from distance, before Roberts pulled off a vital stop to tip another effort from Ahanonu onto the right post.

Another important save was made by the Wales C international with 66 minutes played, as he prevented an in-swinging cross from sneaking into the bottom corner.

Thirteen minutes from time though, The Saints made certain of a historic win, as McManus dispatched a penalty to make the score 2-0 following a handball inside the area.

The victory was the first by a Welsh domestic side in a UEFA competition proper, and ensured The  New Saints climbed to 19th in the UEFA Conference League table (one of the qualification positions) as a result.

It’s a quick return to action for Harrison’s side, as they visit Aberystwyth Town on Sunday (October 27), for more JD Cymru Premier action.