Spirited Saints bow out of Champions League as Sabah seal 4-1 aggregate win

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/2077070432235126926?s=20

Goals: Lock (89)
Yellow cards: Hughes (48), Brobbel (72)
Substitutions: Davies for D. Williams (46), Jefferies for Smith (60), Clark for Farrell (60), Lock for Brobbel (82), Nolan for Redmond (83)

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

Despite a battling display at Park Hall, The New Saints were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League following a 2-1 defeat against Sabah.

The hosts scored twice before the interval to take a commanding 4-0 aggregate lead in the tie, but Academy graduate Josh Lock scored a consolation for the hosts right at the death.

Craig Harrison’s side now face a trip to Estonia in the UEFA Conference League, with the first leg due to be played in Tallinn in nine nights’ time.

It was a good start from the Novira Cymru Premier champions and they called visiting goalkeeper Skas Pokatilov into action for the first time with four minutes on the clock.

Jordan Williams got his head to Dan Williams’ corner on the edge of the six-yard box, but in the end, the effort proved easy for the Kazakhstan international.

There was another chance for the hosts in the 12th minute when the ball fell kindly for Eoin Farrell inside the penalty area, but some last-ditch defending from Ivan Lepinjica denied the Irishman.

Down the other end, Sabah remained a threat, and after a fast counter-attack, Joy-Lance Mickels broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 28th minute.

The Belgian striker made a well-timed run into the penalty area to connect with Aaron Malouda’s cross from the left, sending a first-time finish past Shepperd to make the score 1-0 on the night.

Things went from bad to worse for the Novira Cymru Premier champions three minutes before the break, as an inviting corner from Tymoteusz Puchacz wasn’t properly dealt with by the defence.

After a couple of missed headers, the cross reached Rahman Dashdamirov at the back post, with the central defender firing home at the first time of asking to give the Saints a mountain to climb.

Despite the uphill task they were facing, Harrison’s side played with spirit throughout the second half as they pushed for a way back into the match.

With 55 minutes gone, summer signing Rhys Hughes had an opening on the left of the penalty area, but much to his frustration, failed to hit the target with his effort.

The Welsh champions were causing problems again three minutes later, but after cutting inside from the right, substitute Danny Davies could only find the side netting.

Fifteen minutes from time, Jordan Williams headed over after a pinpoint cross from Redmond as he looked to score in Europe for the second consecutive season.

In the 89th minute, The New Saints finally got their reward, as Academy graduate Josh Lock took advantage of a misplaced pass to slot home his first goal in a TNS shirt.

There was a chance for his side to equalise too in the second minute of stoppage time, but Jack Bodenham watched his back post header go behind off the woodwork for a goal kick.

Although they were ultimately beaten in the tie, it was a spirited performance from the Saints and one that will give them plenty of confidence as they take on Flora Tallinn of Estonia in the UEFA Conference League next week.