Why Welsh Premier League sides should back both The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads in Europe
Following the exits of both Cefn Druids and Connah’s Quay Nomads, it is pivotal Welsh Premier League sides get behind both The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads in Europe.
The druids suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss on Thursday evening as they were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League after drawing 1-1 to the Lithuanian outfit in the first leg, at the Rock stadium.
Both Welsh teams were knocked out, as San Marino outfit, Tre Fiori, also came away with the victory, in-spite of Bala Town’s best efforts to come back from a 3-0 first aggregate loss, as they were eliminated at the first hurdle.
Nathan Burke gave them a slim chance of advancing, but they couldn’t find two more goals as Colin Caton’s side were knocked out in the Preliminary round to complete a miserable night for the Welsh sides in Europe.
So, why should the other Welsh Premier Leagues sides back TNS & the Nomads, then?
Well, first and foremost they’re the only two Welsh Premier League sides who are left in Europe. The New Saints will face a tricky test against Shkendija, who won the Macedonian league during the 2017/2018 season – and definitely have the capability of seeing off the Oswestry-based outfit.
The Nomads will play in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round against FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk – who finished third in the Belarusian top flight and are managed by Sergei Tashuyev.
If they do advance further, it will give not just give them a huge boost, but it will also give Welsh Premier League sides an incentive to perform well next season to have a chance of doing well in Europe next season.
It won’t be easy, but with the support and if they have enough passion and endeavour in both legs, both the Nomads and The New Saints could definitely earn shock results in order to advance into the next round of both the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Champions League ahead of next week’s first legs, with The New Saints playing on Tuesday and the Nomads playing on Thursday.
(Featured image: Naomi Jones)
