It was another tough European night for the Welsh Champions, as TNS were soundly beaten for the second time in as many weeks by the Champions of Bulgaria; Ludogorets.
A brace from Jakub Świerczok, coupled with goals from Dan Biton and Jody Lukoki saw Ludogorets Razgrad ease past the Cymru Premier champions
TNS had suffered a heavy defeat in the first leg, losing by five goals without reply.
It was more of the same at the Racecourse Ground, as The New Saints bowed out of Europe with a nine-goal thrashing on aggregate.
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The game started off slowly, with both teams getting plenty of possession, but struggling to create any meaningful chances.
The first chance of the match fell to Stéphane Badji, who fired wide after fantastic play down the right flank by Jody Lukoki.
Congolese international Lukoki, was beginning to cause the Saints defence problems, and he utilised his pace to great effect to stop the ball going for a goal kick, before crossing for Jakub Świerczok who fired over the bar.
Keston Davies picked up a booking for a mistimed tackle on Stanislav Manolev, before making an outstanding interception to deny Jakub Świerczok getting shot away in the area.
However, The New Saints defence were pushed to breaking point, and the deadlock was finally broken in the 35th minute, when Jakub Świerczok received the ball on the edge of the area, before his shot beat goalkeeper Paul Harrison at his near post.
The floodgates were finally open, with Jakub Świerczok and Ludogorets almost getting their second only two minutes later, only for the Polish forwards mis-hit shot ending up falling for Lukoki, whose shot was blocked.
Ludogorets didn’t have long to wait for their second though, as Jody Lukoki’s movement caused the TNS defence to capitulate, before he ended up one on one with Paul Harrison, smashing the ball into the back of the net past the veteran shot-stopper to make it 2-0 at the break.
After the break, The New Saints changed from a 5-4-1 formation to a more conventional 4-3-3, with a high pressing system, which caused the Bulgarian side a few problems in the early stages, with Ryan Brobbell firing over the bar after great work by Dean Ebbe.
However, that missed chance seemed to spur the Bulgarian champions into life, with Cicinho combining well with Jody Lukoki down the right, before dragging his shot narrowly wide of the mark.
By this point, Ludogorets were back on top, and pushing for a third, with Brazilian winger Wanderson going close after being played through by a deft flick from Świerczok, but his shot flew over the bar.
The New Saints were determined to restore a bit of pride, and went close through Ryan Brobell, as his low curling effort was parried out for a corner.
Ludogorets counter-attack led to Wanderson beating Harrison before his shot was volleyed off the line by Brobbell.
It would only get worse for The New Saints, as Wanderson’s volley into the area was headed in at point-blank range by Jakub Świerczok, who made it three for the Bulgarian champions, and 8-0 on aggregate.
TNS did have the ball in the back of the net in the 82nd minute, after an Aeron Edwards volley was parried into the path of Kurtis Byrne, who duly smashed the ball into the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Adrian Cieślewicz then also had a fantastic opportunity for The New Saints with just a minute of normal time remaining, but his tame effort was well held by Renan.
The visitors weren’t done just yet, and substitute Dan Biton smashed home a long-range effort to crown a dominating display for the Bulgarians and to ensure progression beyond all doubt.
(Featured Image: Brian Jones)
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