FK Kauno Žalgiris 0-5 The New Saints: Five-star Saints put Lithuanians to sword
The New Saints took control of their Europa Conference League League tie with a resounding first-leg win at FK Kauno Žalgiris.
Four first-half goals including a brace from summer signing Danny Davies and efforts from Leo Smith and Declan McManus put Anthony Limbrick’s side on their way before Jordan Williams made for a perfect evening in Lithuania.
The five goals are the largest margin of victory the Saints have won by in European competition, eclipsing their wins over Bohemians and KF Shkëndija.
The result is even more impressive given that Žalgiris boast four Lithuanian internationals in their ranks, including Egidijus Vaitkūnas, who has made over half a century of appearances for the Baltic side.
The hosts had the first opportunity as Deividas Šešplaukis weaved his way through the defence but shot over the bar.
Profiting on some sloppy defending, McManus provided Smith for the opening goal. The club-record signing fearlessly ran at the defence before threading through to Smith to chip the goalkeeper for his fourth consecutive European goal.
Not content with a one-goal lead, the Saints peppered the goal of Deividas Mikelionis as Smith’s corner prompted some pinball defending from Žalgiris with the end product being Ryan Astles’ header going over the bar.
Astles was organising his defence well and were coping with the crosses sent towards them as they tried to nullify the home attack.
More defending had to be done though and Martynas Dapkus found Linas Pilibaitis with a low pass, but Paul Harrison through a sea of bodies palmed away the forward’s effort.
TNS had their just rewards for their defensive efforts as they went two in front with experienced head Chris Marriott involved. Marriott’s far-sided free-kick caught out everyone but Danny Davies who headed past the goalkeeper.
Marriott’s set-piece-taking ability was causing real issues for the Lithuanians with their defence again forced to deal poorly with a corner.
It would be a corner that would put the Saints into dreamland as they got a third and Davies had his second. Smith’s corner wasn’t cleared away properly, so Marriott headed the ball back into the six-yard box and Davies was there to head once more past Mikelionis.
McManus then made it a perfect half as he put them four goals to the good with the Saints probably wishing the away goals rule remained. Karolis Šilkaitis and his defensive peer Egidijus Vaitkuna both missed a hopeful ball into the box and McManus with a strikers instinct scored with a composed effort.
In the second half, there were obvious words of encouragement as Žalgiris hoped to improve on a torrid first half.
There were some half opportunities for Rokas Garastas’s men with Šešplaukis sending a shot wide of the goal.
The introduction of Brazilian-forward Michael Thuique brought some physicality and his header forced Harrison to be alert.
Compatriot Choco, then put the ball in the net as he took the ball down well and turned home his effort but the linesman’s flag denied him a goal and Kauno at least a consolation.
The Saints then put the cherry on top of the five-star cake as substitute Williams opened his account. A well-driven left-footed shot from the former Stockport County man took a touch off the post and behind Mikelionis.
There was a late free-kick in the last chance of the game to deal with as Keston Davies was adjudged to have fouled Thuique but Karolis Silkaitis’s wayward shot summarised the evening for the home side.
Unfortunately, the Saints’ result could not be matched by their Cymru Premier counterparts. Connah’s Quay suffered a 4-1 defeat to FC Prishtina in Kosovo.
Leotrim Bekteshi put the Kosovan champions ahead before Otto John put them further in front. Tom Moore scored a goal to open the contest but Endrit Krasniqi further added to the home side lead before John scored a second in stoppage time.
FK Kauno Žalgiris: Deividas Mikelionis, Guilherme de Souza, Martynas Dapkus, Steven Thicot, Egidijus Vaitkūnas, Divine Naah, Edvinas Kloniūnas, Karolis Šilkaitis, Deividas Šešplaukis, Linas Pilibaitis.
The New Saints: Paul Harrison, Chris Marriott, Keston Davies, Jon Routledge, Declan McManus, Adrian Cieslewicz (Lewis Rees, 71), Louis Robles (Jordan Williams, 710, Ben Clark (Beau Cornish, 84), Leo Smith, Danny Davies.
Goals: Leo Smith 8, Danny Davies 35, 38, Declan McManus 40, Jordan Williams 87’
Yellow Cards: Ben Clark 23, Jordan Williams 77’
