The New Saints 1-0 Linfield: Connor Roberts heroics give TNS slender first-leg lead
The New Saints 1-0 Linfield in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round at Park Hall on the 5th July 2022. Credit: Will Cheshire
The New Saints will take a slender advantage to Northern Ireland next week after winning 1-0 against Linfield at Park Hall.
Ryan Brobbel scored the only goal of the match in the 57th minute as the Oswestry based side kept up a fine recent European record at home. The last time TNS was beaten at Park Hall was against Copenhagen in 2019.
Both teams had their chances in the match with TNS having the majority of the opportunities early on before Linfield got more into it after Brobbel netted for the home side.
The result means Anthony Limbrick’s side will take a slender lead, but an advantage none the less to the Northern Ireland capital for next Wednesday’s fixture.
The 14-time Cymru Premier champions had a couple of efforts at goal early on. Declan McManus had an effort from 30-yards away which went over Linfield’s goal.
In the eighth minute McManus had another attempt, Chris Marriott whipped in a ball from a corner that found the Scottish forward in the box who headed over the crossbar.
Just past the half hour mark, Ryan Brobbel hit an effort in the Penalty area that went for a goal-kick.
A minute on, Brobbel hit a free-kick from 20-yards, which Christopher Johns palmed away.
In the 40th, Connor Roberts palmed away an effort before Danny Davies headed a shot off the line to deny Matthew Clarke.
Two before the break David Healy’s team were on the attack once more, Joel Cooper hit the ball over the crossbar in the penalty area.
Saints were lurking at the start of the second forty-five, Brobbel had a shot that went over the crossbar in the box.
TNS took the lead in the 57th minute. Northern Irishman Brobbel hit the ball in the 18-yard area that scored past Christopher Johns’ bottom-left corner.
McManus had two chances within three minutes past the hour mark. The Scot fired the first over the goal from just outside the box, with the second just wide of Johns’ post.
Former Glentoran man, Robbie McDaid was denied by Roberts in the 74th as the Welshman spread himself wide to stop McDaid.
Roberts kept TNS in front in the 80th minute as he stopped Linfield substitute Jordan Stewart from close range.
TNS substitute Adrian Cieslewicz wasn’t far off doubling the Welsh Cup holders lead when he shot over the crossbar in the penalty area 83 minutes in.
The final chance of the game came a minute later when Roberts made another fantastic save to stop Stephen Fallon in the 18-yard area.
Man of the match: Connor Roberts
TNS’ no.25 was superb and kept a well deserved clean sheet with three notable chances for Linfield denied.
The New Saints: Connor Roberts, Chris Marriott, Keston Davies, Ryan Astles, Jon Routledge, Ryan Brobbel, Declan McManus, Danny Redmond (Ben Clark 90+1’), Jordan Williams (Adrian Cieslewicz 76’), Leo Smith, Danny Davies.
Goal: Ryan Brobbel 57’.
Yellow cards: Chris Marriott 25’, Jordan Williams 69’.
Linfield: Christopher Johns, Samuel Roscoe-Byrne, Chris Shields, Kirk Millar (Jordan Stewart 73’), Joel Cooper, Robbie McDaid (Christopher Mckee 79’) , Ben Hall, Matthew Clarke, Daniel Finlayson, Stephen Fallon, Jamie Mulgrew (Kyle McClean 67’).
Yellow cards: Daniel Finlayson 32’, Matthew Clarke 52’, Samuel Roscoe-Byrne 90+2’.
