Dean Ebbe scored one of his most important goals to date as he sent The New saints into the next round of the UEFA Europa League.
The Lincoln Red Imps did take a first-half lead in the first half courtesy of a goal from Juan Manuel Montesinos Romero, but Ebbe’s goal late on into the second-half ensured that they booked their place in the third round of the UEFA Europa League qualification phase.
And the Irish striker described his enthrallment at scoring the goal which sent the Welsh Premier League champions through.
“We only had one chance to score, but I was just lucky enough to get on the end of it and I am just delighted by this result,” said Ebbe.
“It was a good result and we are through to the next round. It was tough and everything in the first half, going 1-0 down at half-time, so at the break, Scotty (Scott Ruscoe) must have told the boys off and we have come out in the second half and got the result we desperately needed.”
“I think it comes in something like the 80th minute, so there was only a couple of minutes left, so I was delighted to get the goal and I am eager to keep scoring to help the team as much as I can.”
Ebbe also reflected back on his performance against the Gibraltar-outfit and admitted that apart from his goal, he was barely involved in the action since coming on as a second-half substitute.
“I didn’t really have much involvement to be honest,” he said. “But I did what I could for the team and luckily enough I got the goal which puts us in the next round of the UEFA Europa League.”
Ebbe then went onto say how tough the opposition can be in the UEFA Europa League, compared to the teams they’re facing week-in, week out, in the JD Welsh Premier League.
“Obviously its European football, there are going to be tough teams involved in this competition, probably better than the Welsh Premier League but it was just a nice feeling at the end knowing we are in the next stage of the competition.”
After the game, big celebrations ensued on the pitch as they booked their place in the next round, where they will now face-off against FC Midtjylland, who won the Danish Superliga during the 2017/2018 season.
“It was just mad, everyone was just chucking water bottles around and it was a fantastic atmosphere when that final whistle went.”
The New Saints’ first match against FC Midtjylland will take place on Thursday 9th August (19:45) – a game which will be hosted at the Cardiff City Stadium, before travelling to Denmark for the return leg in the following week.
(Featured Image: Brian Jones)
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