The New Saints progressed to the next round of qualifying in the UEFA Europa Conference League after defeating Glentoran 3-1 on aggregate.
A two-minute salvo from TNS that saw Declan McManus net a penalty and then assist Leo Smith for a fourth European goal was enough to defeat the NIFL Premiership outfit.
Anthony Limbrick’s team dominated the first half and proved that with the two goals. Glens got more into the game during the second forty-five but couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net once to show for their efforts.
As a reward for defeating the Glens, Anthony Limbrick’s side will face Lithuanian outfit FK Kauno Žalgiris, who defeated Gibraltarian side Europa FC 2-0.
In the early stages, Adrian Cieslewicz had the first shot of the game as he ran into the box and shot just wide of the keeper’s left side of the goal.
Glentoran had their first opportunity not long after as a ball got crossed in the box to Seanan Clucas who hit the opportunity but went wide of Harrison’s net.
McManus was then found in the 18-yard area but couldn’t hit the target with his wayward effort.
Just over five minutes later, Gael Bigirimana had a shot from about 20-25 yards out as his attempt hit the Saints wall.
TNS were presented with a chance to break the deadlock after earning a penalty when Danny Davies ran in the box and was taken out by a Glens defender. McManus stepped up from the spot and blasted the ball straight down the middle to give TNS the lead, scoring his first competitive goal after his £60,000 move from Dunfermline Athletic.
Straight after kick-off, Anthony Limbrick’s team doubled their lead, and McManus was involved again. Glentoran’s attempted clearance resulted in the front-man jostling for possession and he took the ball down to McManus pass the ball to Smith and scored past Coleing. Smith had scored in the first leg and maintains the record of scoring in every European game he has played in, netting in his last four appearances.
Immediately, Smith almost had a second with Ben Clark passing the ball to him in the box with midfielder agonisingly hitting the post.
Mick McDermott’s side had a chance not long after when the ball got crossed into Rory Donnelly who had a header at goal that Paul Harrison saved with ease.
A couple of minutes on Jordan Williams intercepted the ball in midfield for TNS and ran with the ball to go one on one with Coleing with the Glens keeper making a save.
Into the second half, a ball got played through to McManus on the hour mark but Coleing just managed to get there before the TNS forward.
Glens, who hadn’t challenged Harrison much, saw a ball get whipped into Andrew Mitchell for the away side and headed at goal, however, Harrison caught the opportunity.
With the game escaping them, Robbie McDaid had an opportunity which he tried to chip and ended up going over the crossbar.
McDaid had one more chance in stoppage time for the Northern Ireland side with a header of his going over the crossbar.
The New Saints: Paul Harrison, Chris Marriott, Keston Davies (Dean Ebbe 76’), Ryan Astles, Jon Routledge, Declan McManus (Lewis Rees 87’), Adrian Cieslewicz, Jordan Williams (Louis Robles 67’), Ben Clark, Leo Smith, Danny Davies.
Goals: McManus 26’, Smith 27’.
Yellow Cards: Danny Davies 78’.
Glentoran: Dayle Coleing, Marcus Kane, Luke McCullough, Gael Bigirimana (Ben Cushnie 81’), Rhys Marshall, Rory Donnelly, Robbie McDaid, Patrick Mcclean, Seanan Clucas (Andrew Mitchell 57’), Caolan Marron (Malachy Smith 67’), Conor McMenamin.
Yellow Cards: Rhys Marshall 38’, Gael Bigirimana 42’.
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