The New Saints 0-1 FC Differdange 03: match report

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1948067838184333778

Yellow cards: Craig (60), D. Williams (81)
Substitutions: Craig for Godsmark-Ford (53), Clark for Redmond (75), Charles for Wilson (79), Oteh for J. Williams (79), Holden for Corness (79)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Craig Thomas/FAW

It was a difficult night in the UEFA Conference League for The New Saints, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against FC Differdange 03.

Despite several early chances, it was the visitors who took the lead nine minutes before the break, after Artur Abreu beat Nathan Shepperd at the near post.

Substitute Aramide Oteh had a late equaliser ruled out for offside, but the visitors did enough to leave Park Hall with the aggregate advantage.

Things took a while to get going in the first leg, and it wasn’t until the 18th minute that the first real chance arrived.

A cross from Jordan Marshall was flicked on by Ben Wilson, but the incoming Harvey Godsmark-Ford failed to hit the target with his volleyed effort.

Five minutes later, the Saints were causing problems again, and a cross from Dominic Corness was collected by visiting goalkeeper Felipe.

On the half hour mark, there was an opening for Ben Wilson to break the deadlock, but after some good vision from Jordan Williams, the summer signing failed to get the ball under control inside the penalty area.

But despite the early TNS chances, it was disappointment for the JD Cymru Premier champions, as FC Differdange 03 took the lead in the tie seven minutes before the break.

After a searching forward ball from Théo Brusco, it was Artur Abreu who got goal side of Marshall on the edge of the penalty area, before firing past Nathan Shepperd at the near post.

Just minutes into the second-half, the visitors had a great chance to double their advantage, but after some good vision by Geoffrey Franzoni, Samir Hadji could only find the side netting with his effort.

With 53 minutes gone, the Saints were dealt another blow when Harvey Godsmark-Ford was stretched off through injury. It forced a reshuffle at the back, with Kade Craig the man to replace him.

Searching for a way back into the game, Dom Corness and Dan Williams both had chances from the edge of the penalty area, but on each occasion, there was little trouble for the side from Luxembourg.

Down the other end, Shepperd made a vital stop on the 77th minute to prevent Hadji from scoring his side’s second.

Craig Harrison made a number of changes at time progressed, one of which included Aramide Oteh, and six minutes from time, the former Walsall man thought he’d scored to get his side back in the game.

Turning home Ken Charles’ cross, the striker looked to his right to see the offside flag raised however, and the score remained 1-0 in favour of the visitors.

Despite the fourth official indicting 10 minutes of additional time, there was no way through the resolute Differdange defence, meaning the Saints are left with work to do in next week’s second leg should they wish to process in the competition.

That match takes place at the Stade Municipal in Differdange on Tuesday (July 29th), with kick-off scheduled for 7pm UK time.