The New Saints seal historic place in UEFA Conference League following 3-0 aggregate win
OSWESTRY, SHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND - 29th AUGUST 2024 -TNS celebrate after The New Saints vs FK Panevezys in the UEFA Europa Conference League Playoff Second leg at Park Hall, Oswestry (pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)
A 0-0 home draw in their second leg against Panevėžys was enough as The New Saints became the first Cymru Premier side to qualify for a major UEFA European competition.
After securing a 3-0 aggregate lead last week in Lithuania the Welsh champions secured history at Park Hall as they booked their place amongst Europe’s elite clubs.
In a quiet affair neither side could find a winning goal as the visitors went down to 10 men, with Rokas Rasimavicius shown a second yellow card in the 62 minute.
TNS are projected to be in pot four for The Europa Conference League draw meaning they could potentially play Chelsea, Hearts, and Larne. The club will find out their opponents in Friday’s draw in Monaco.
The New Saints create history at Park Hall
The New Saints started strong as they weren’t happy to sit on their already commanding lead. Adrian Cieslewicz had an early effort at goal testing the Panevėžys from the edge of the area.
There was an early change for TNS as Jordan Marshall was replaced by Josh Pask due to an injury sustained during an attacking forward run.
The home side looked comfortable in the early stages of the half only having to defend a number of corners that never looked like troubling them.
The visitors began to gain control of possession as the minutes ticked towards half time. Winger Cheikou Dieng had a volleyed attempt at goal from the edge of the area that called Connor Roberts into action before the ball was cleared.
Both sides found themselves level at the break on the night as neither could find the opening goal, with Craig Harrison’s men 45 minutes away from an historic place in European football.
TNS had a golden chance to kill the tie off as they pounced on a defensive error early in the second half. Danny Redmond could only fire his effort over the bar with the keeper scrambling to cover his goal.
The job was made easier for the hosts when Rokas Rasimavicius was shown a second yellow card in the 62nd minute to leave the Lithuanian side with 10 men.
Despite the man advantage they were unable to add to their dominant first leg lead. The final whistle signalling their place in The Europa Conference League for the first time in their history.
The New Saints: Connor Roberts (GK), Daniel Davies, Joshua Daniels, Jordan Marshall (Josh Pask 19′), Leo Smith, Daniel Williams (Blaine Hudson 89′), Daniel Redmond, Adrian Cieslewicz (Sion Bradley 89′), Jack Bodenham, Adam Wilson (Ben Clark 76′), Rory Holden
Yellow cards: Rory Holden 40′
Panevėžys: Emil Timbur (GK), Jovan Cadjenovic, Kaspars Dubra, Róbert Martinez, Rokas Rasimavicius, Sivert Gussiås (Andrii Karvatsky 79′), Linas Klimavicius, Domantas Vaiekauskas, Cheikou Dieng (Nemanja Bosancic 89′), Amine Benchaib, Ernestas Veliulis (Jeffrey Sarpong 70′)
Yellow cards: Jovan Cadjenovic 7′ Rokas Rasimavicius 33′
Red cards: Rokas Rasimavicius 62′
