The New Saints 0-0 FK Panevėžys: match report

Match Report

Yellow cards: Holden (40), Craig Harrison (55)
Substitutions: Pask for Marshall (19), Clark for Wilson (76), Hudson for D. Williams (89), Bradley for Cieslewicz (89)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: FAW/Sam Eaden

The New Saints became the first-ever JD Cymru Premier side to qualify for the league phase of the UEFA Conference League following a 3-0 aggregate victory against FK Panevėžys.

Despite the second leg ending goalless on the night, the three goals scored in Vilnius seven days earlier proved enough to help make history at Park Hall.

The Saints will now take their place in tomorrow’s league phase draw, when they’ll discover which six teams they’ll be facing between now and Christmas.

It was a composed start from Craig Harrison’s side, and they had several opportunities to increase their aggregate advantage in the early stages of the game.

With eight minutes on the clock, a Rory Holden free-kick defected narrowly wide of the target, before a 17th minute header from Jack Bodenham went straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.

The JD Cymru Premier champions continued to knock on the door though, and with 28 minutes on the clock, Adrian Cieslewicz volleyed over at the back post.

Ten minutes before the break, The Saints could’ve been awarded a penalty when Adam Wilson went down under pressure from Kaspars Dubra, but referee, Jakob Sundberg, waved play on.

Down the other end, Connor Roberts had to be alert to deny Cheikhou Dieng in the 42nd minute, as the side from Lithuania looked to hit back before half-time.

Following the restart, Danny Redmond had a great chance to increase his side’s lead further, but after collecting the ball from Wilson on the edge of the six-yard box, failed to keep his effort on target.

Wilson was then denied by goalkeeper, Emil Timbur, in the 53rd minute, before more penalty appeals were turned down following a challenge on Danny Davies.

Less than 60 seconds later, the visitors were dealt a blow, as Rokas Rasimavičius was shown his marching orders after a challenge on Adrian Cieslewicz, leaving them a man light for the remainder of the contest.

Fifteen minutes from time, Rory Holden worked the goalkeeper with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area, before susbtitute, Ben Clark, then volleyed over from the right of the box.

Although there were no goals on the night, the 3-0 victory in Vilnius last Thursday proved enough to see The New Saints over the line, and they became the first-ever JD Cymru Premier side to qualify for the league phase of a European competition.

The draw for the league phase takes place in Monaco tomorrow (August 30th) at 13:30, with the likes of Chelsea, Panathinaikos and Real Betis among the potential opponents.