European football roundup: TNS, Nomads and Caernarfon flourish while Bala face huge task
Zack Clarke scored on his European debut. (Image: Sam Eaden/FAW)
The European football campaign began for four Cymru Premier sides this week with the first leg fixtures of The Champions League, and Europa Conference League first qualifying round.
In what was a hugely successful set of results for Welsh football, Cymru Premier clubs already picked up more coefficient points (+0.750) in a week than they did during the whole of the 2023/24 (+0.625) campaign.
According to Football Rankings, Wales are currently 49th in the current rankings, which would give them back their fourth European spot in the 2026/27 season. If Wales can pick up more points next week and hope the countries below them don’t do much, then they would spend only one season with three teams.
It was the dream start in Europe for TNS as they secured a dominant 3-0 victory at home against Montenegrin champions FK Dečić.
The first goal came in the fourth minute as star forward Brad Young, who is being monitored by Championship side Bristol City headed home from a Josh Daniels cross.
The 21-year-old added a second in the 28th minute with another brilliantly taken header after a pinpoint delivery from Daniel Redmond.
The current Cymru Premier champions added a third with 39 minutes on the clock as full-back Daniel Davies flicked home from a corner.
The result puts Craig Harrison’s side in firm control of the tie as they travel to Montenegro for the second leg next Tuesday.
Speaking after the win Harrison said: “Obviously I’m really happy, but we know it’s half time in the tie, nothing is won far from it.
They’re a good team, they showed in the second half they put us under pressure. We defended really well organised, but I think at any one point we can score a goal, I think we will score a goal out there we just need to make sure we keep a clean sheet.”
Connah’s Quay win against Slovenian debutants
In possibly the most impressive result from the Welsh clubs, Ben Maher struck late to give Connah’s Quay Nomads a 1-0 win against NK Bravo of Slovenia.
A left-footed volley in the 85th minute sparked wild celebrations from the men in red as they take a huge advantage into the second leg next Thursday in North Wales.
Speaking after the victory Nomads manager Neil Gibson said: “I’m ecstatic with the result and the performance of the players in terms of the work rate, their effort, their application.
“I’m a big believer in the fact that if you put the work in you get the rewards. We know were only halfway through in terms of the tie there’s a big ninety minutes to come in Nantporth.”
The result marks only the third time The Nomads have won an away fixture in Europe after previously beating Stabæk and Kilmarnock.
There was yet more celebrations in North Wales as Europa Conference League debutants Caernarfon secured a 2-0 victory at home against Crusaders.
It was the perfect start as a long range strike from Morgan Owen in the fourth minute gave Richard Davies’ side the lead with their first ever goal in a European competition.
The Cofi Army were celebrating again in the 37th minute as Zack Clarke slotted home under the ‘keeper to extend their lead before the half time break.
It gives Caernarfon a great opportunity to progress heading into the second leg in Northern Ireland next Wednesday to further boost the nations coefficient rankings.
In the only disappointing result of the first leg fixtures, a late strike from Joshua Ukek wasn’t enough as Bala were beaten 2-1 at home against Paide Linnameeskond of Estonia.
The away side broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute before a second two minutes into second half added time giving The Lakesiders a mountain to climb.
Ukek converted a penalty to give Bala a much-needed goal in the 95th minute but Colin Caton’s side face a major task next Thursday in Estonia if they are to keep their European adventure alive.
