Uninspiring New Saints eliminated from Conference League after Vikingur shutout
The New Saints exited the Europa Conference League after a game of lots of shots, but no goals after a 0-0 draw against Vikingur Reykjavík.
It was fairly equal in terms of chances in the match, but ultimately for the 14-time Cymru Premier champions none could be converted.
The result means it is the first time The Saints have exited Europe without winning a tie since the 2014/15 season.
In just the second minute of the match, Adrian Cieslewicz played a cross to Danny Redmond in the box who just hit wide of the post.
The Saints were on the attack once more three minutes later when a ball was whipped in to Jordan Williams, as the forward just headed over the crossbar.
Williams had another chance in the 16th when he shot from 25-yards away with the curled effort hitting wide of the target.
Víkingur had their first big opportunity in the 29th minute when Logi Tómasson crossed in a corner that found Peter Ekroth in the box who just headed wide of the post.
In the 40th, Kyle McLagan attempted an overhead kick in the box for the away team, but Connor Roberts was there to make the save.
The Icelandic side had another go at the net two later when Magnússon headed wide from a corner in the 18-yard area.
Before the break TNS had their own chance when McManus had a header that went wide within 6-yards.
At the start of the second forty-five, Arnar Gunnlaugsson’s team’s main threat Kristall Ingason hit the ball in the penalty area, however Roberts was there to stop the effort.
TNS came inches close in the 54th when Ryan Brobbel whipped in a ball that found Adrian Cieslewicz who headed over the crossbar in the box.
The Oswestry-based side came close again before the hour mark when Brobbel had an effort from 25-yards out which curled just wide of the post.
Just after the hour mark, Roberts made an important stop from close range to deny Ingason and keep the Cymru Premier champions in the tie.
Substitute Nikolaj Hansen had a chance for the away side which went wide. A couple minutes later, Brobbel had a shot from a volley that went over the crossbar. Danger man Ingason then had an effort from close range that went off target.
Anthony Limbrick’s team went tantalisingly wide in the 81st when McManus had a shot which went wide of the target. He then almost scored in the 83rd when the Scot had a powerful attempt in the box that Ingvar Jónsson stopped.
Attendance: 537
The New Saints: Connor Roberts, Josh Pask, Chris Marriott, Ryan Astles, Jon Routledge (Josh Daniels 68′), Ryan Brobbel, Declan McManus, Danny Redmond, Adrian Cieslewicz (Blaine Husdon 90+1′), Jordan Williams, Ben Clark (Leo Smith 68′).
Yellow card: Danny Redmond 50′, Jordan Williams 68′, Chris Marriott 69′.
Víkingur Reykjavík: Ingvar Jónsson, Logi Tómasson, Peter Ekroth, Kyle Mclagon, Erlingur Agnarsson (David Atlason 89′), Viktor Andrason, Ari Sigurpálsson (Nikolaj Hansen 67′), Birnir Ingason (Helgi Gudjonsson 67′), Julius Magnússon, Karl Gunnarsson, Kristall Ingason (Danijel Djuric 77′).
Yellow cards: Julius Magnússon 20′.
