The New Saints have the advantage in their Europa League tie with a late victory over Gibraltarian champions Lincoln Red Imps.
Defender Blaine Hudson was the hero as he scored six minutes from time to give The New Saints the victory after Joseph Chipolina had cancelled out Dean Ebbe’s opening goal.
The Champions of Wales took the lead in the opening six minutes. Jamie Mullan squared the ball to Dean Ebbe and the forward stroked it home from close range.
Juan Manuel Monstesinos Romero found forward Aranda in the box with a lofted pass, from that they had an unsuccessful penalty appeal as Hudson made the block.
New Saints almost doubled their lead twice. Firstly Mullan was found by Redmond, but his header was saved from Soler. Ebbe then rolled an effort just wide of the post after taking the ball down in the box.
Red Imps were level on the half-hour mark. Montesinos Romero found the experienced Chipolina free and he headed past Harrison.
Scott Ruscoe’s side were dealt with a blow as goalscorer Dean Ebbe was unable to run off an injury. Draper came on and tested Soler with a chip, forcing him to tip it behind. From the corner, Aeron Edwards saw his header saved.
The New Saints were presented with a good opportunity to go ahead early in the second half. Chris Marriott found Jamie Mullan, but his effort was stabbed just over the bar.
New Saints enjoyed the share of possession in the second half, but couldn’t pose a threat to the Imps goal.
Greg Draper beat the offside trap and went round Soler, ut couldn’t direct an effort goalwards, instead, he squared it to Danny Redmond who was denied by a goal-line clearance from Casciaro.
Imps nearly scored in similar fashion to their equalising goal. A free-kick just inside the New Saints half was lofted over and Juanma was denied by Harrison who made a superb save.
Six minutes of normal time life, Hudson gave New Saints a deserved lead after their dominant spell of possession. A cross wasn’t dealt with and Hudson headed it past Soler for New Saints second goal
The New Saints
Harrison, Marriott, Holland, Cabango, Routledge, Redmond, Hudson, Mullan, Ebbe, Lewis, Edwards.
Substitutes:
Roberts, Spender, Brobbell, Draper, Cieslewicz, Nembhard, Byrne.
Lincoln Red Imps
Soler, Garcia, Chipolina, Hernandez, Casciaro, Moreno, Aranda, Garro, Montesinos Romero, Oliver, Gamiz.
Substitutes:
Hankins, Casciaro, Dos Santos, Corrall, Calderon, Annelsey, Juanma
(Featured Image: Brian Jones)
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