First Round exit for Welsh Premier League trio in Europa League Qualifiers

Bala Town, Bangor City and Connah’s Quay Nomads all exited the Europa League this evening in the First Round of Qualifying. 

It will be The New Saints to continue representing Welsh football’s top flight after

The Nomads were the only side to win their first leg but were unable to keep hold of their advantage as HJK erased their first leg deficit.

Both Bala and Bangor suffered narrow defeats to FC Vaduz and Lyngby BK last week, losing by just a single goal.

HJK Helsinki 3-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads (3-1 on aggregate) 

Connah’s Quay Nomads began the evening hoping to defend what was an impressive victory in Bangor last week as Nathan Woolfe scored the only goal.

In the opening ten minutes though, a 30 yard free-kick was scored by HJK’s Moshtagh Yaghoubi to make the tie all square.

The Nomads then lost went behind as 28 year-old forward Akseli Pevlas scored from close range to put the Finnish side in front.

Andy Morrison’s men remained in the tie going into half time with just one goal a possibility of giving the Nomads a way through the away goals system.

The second half began and then five minutes in, Akseli Pelvas grabbed his second of the evening and HJK’s third after tapping home after his initial shot was saved.

Nomads had chances of their own as Wilde and Wignall linked up on half-way but the Helsinki defence stood tall.

FC Vaduz 3-0 Bala Town (5-1 on aggregate) 

As the Nomads trailed in Helsinki, Bala began their second leg out in Liechenstein as they trailed the Swiss-Super League team 2-1 from the first leg.

Aldin Turkes scored first for the home side to give the Liechenstein Cup winners a bit of breathing space. The forward was then in space again to score from close range to double Vaduz’s lead on the night. The Lakesiders were forced into a substitution towards the end of the half but Vaduz were questionably allowed to score from a free-kick as Marco Mathys scored from the set-piece.

Bangor City 0-3 Lyngby BK (0-4 on aggregate) 

In what was a sold out crowd at Nantporth, the Citizens began the game immediately on the back foot as Kristoffer Larsen latched on to a loose ball and pulled off a finesse shot to give the Danish side the lead.

The Vikings would then go two-ahead as a low cross from Michael Lumb would find forward Jeppe Kjaer in space and his shot would beat Connor Roberts in the Bangor goal.

Kjaer would turn provider as he would set up Larsen who had already scored for an easy finish as the winger would slot home just before half time.

(Featured Image: NCMMedia)