Scott Ruscoe’s summer recruits took centre stage as The New Saints progressed into the second qualifying round of the Europa League with a 3–1 win over MŠK Žilina.
Goals from Louis Robles, Leo Smith and Adrian Cieslewicz were enough for the Saints to claim the scalp of the Slovak side.
New signing Robles had put the Saints ahead, which was cancelled out by Patrik Myslovič’s penalty.
Ruscoe’s men forced a number of saves from Žilina goalkeeper Samuel Petrás, but weren’t to be denied as they found the net twice in extra-time to secure victory.
The 3-1 win at Park Hall sees TNS progress through from a European tie for the eighth time in their history.
In an entertaining first half, the Saints came out of the blocks quickly and put their youthful opponents under pressure.
TNS captain Chris Marriott had the first chance of the game, as the fired an effort from the edge of the box which Petras tipped on to the post.
Fellow full-back Simon Spender was also involved, firing a low cross across the box that just needed a Saints touch to open the scoring.
Former Bala man Robles looked sharp in the early stages for his new club. Operating on the left wing, he beat Kristian Vallo and cut the ball back to Danny Redmond, who had a glorious chance saved by Petras.
MŠK Žilina grew into the game and forced a huge save from experienced TNS goalkeeper Paul Harrison.
Dávid Duriš dispossessed Saints’ captain Marriott and played in striker Jakub Paur. PaulHarrison was quick off his line to save Paur’s effort in the best chance of the first half.
The New Saints went close to punishing Žilina, as Jamie Mullan was found free in the box to cross for Dean Ebbe, only for the ball to sail agonisingly over the striker’s head.
MŠK Žilina goalkeeper Petras was called into action by Ryan Brobbell, who fired an effort from distance which was parried out for a corner.
Brobbell was again involved as the Saints went close. His in-swinging corner curled onto the far post with Petras beaten.
Žilina right-back Vallo was again beaten by Robles, who found space in the box to head back across goal, only for Petras to come out and collect.
The New Saints continued to put the away side under pressure, as Mullan’s header across the box was blocked by a defender, sparking appeals for a penalty. Referee Manfredas Lukjancukas waved away the protests.
Mullan again found himself in space on the edge of the box and fired towards goal, but Petras was again on hand to tip over just before half-time.
The Saints were dealt a blow early in the second half, as experienced right-back Spender was forced off through injury. He was replaced by Ryan Harrington.
Ruscoe’s side continued to create chances, much like in the first half, as Ebbe’s flick-on found Mullan. The latter’s low cross into the box was cleared by the Žilina defence.
The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute, as Robles headed in a corner at the near post on his competitive debut for the Park Hall side.
Defender Blaine Hudson was the next to go close, heading just over the bar from Brobbell’s free-kick into the box.
The game was then turned on its head as Redmond was penalised for a foul inside the box, earning a penalty for MŠK Žilina.
Young midfielder Patrik Myslovič calmly converted, firing past Harrison to equalise for the away side.
Looking for a winner in normal time, the Saints appealed for a penalty of their own, as the ball appeared to strike the hand of centre-back Ján Minárik. The referee was unmoved.
Another new signing took centre stage for the Saints in extra-time, as substitute Smith, formerly of Wrexham, Caernarfon Town and Llandudno, was on hand to convert, after the ball fell to him in a goal-mouth scramble.
As Žilina immediately pushed for an equaliser, substitute Vahan Bichakhchyan’s effort from the edge of the box was inches over the bar for the away team.
The Saints broke on the counter attack, as Mullan found space on the right wing to drive into the box and was brought down by Branislav Sluka, who was sent off for Pavol Stano’s side.
Adrian Cieslewicz stepped up for the Saints and calmly converted to the goalkeeper’s right, sealing the win for Ruscoe’s side.
The Saints continued to make chances on the break, as a cross was headed onto the post by Dean Ebbe and Smith found himself through on the left, only to chip in the arms of Samuel Petras.
The New Saints: Paul Harrison, Simon Spender (Ryan Harrington 47’), Ryan Astles, Blaine Hudson, Chris Marriott, Ryan Brobbel, Danny Redmond, Tom Holland (Jon Routledge 105), Jamie Mullan, Louis Robles (Adrian Cieslewicz 86), Dean Ebbe.
MŠK Žilina: Samuel Petras, Kristian Vallo, Jan Minarik, Adam Kopas, Branislav Sluka, Jan Bernat (Vahan Bichakhchyan), Miroslav Gono, Patrik Myslovic, Jakub Paur, Patril Il’ko, David Duris
The New Saints’ manager Scott Ruscoe told Sgorio after the game: “The overall performance is one of the best in my reign. We prepared well, we planned well and the boys have had that extra incentive because of what happened last season.
“First and foremost, credit has to go to our squad. Even lads we had to leave out, I feel for them because they’ve been brilliant. The reason why this first team has done so well tonight is because they’ve been there day-in day-out in training really pushing each other.”
(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)
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