The New Saints 0-2 Panathinaikos: TNS player ratings in Conference League home finale
Fotis Ioannidis of Panathinaikos scores a penalty to make it 0-2 during the UEFA Conference League - League Stage The New Saints v Panathinaikos at Croud Meadow, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom, 12th December 2024 (Photo by Craig Thomas/News Images)
The New Saints’ hopes of Conference League qualification are all but finished after a valiant 2-0 home defeat to Panathinaikos in front of nearly 6,000 supporters.
A scrappy Filip Djuricic rebound goal and a Fotis Ioaniddis penalty in each half gave the Greek side a victory which looked certain for large portions of the game, with them having dominated throughout.
TNS had spells where they posed some threat, with their best opportunity coming late on when Rory Holden broke through in on goal, only to be outpaced by the covering defender who dealt well with it.
TNS player ratings:
Connor Roberts- 7
Not at fault for either of the goals, with them coming via a penalty and a rebound from an originally good save from close range.
Was not the busiest with only a few saves but dealt with what he could very well and confidently.
Kicking was solid as usual.
Ash Baker- N/A
Injured his hamstring during a Panathinaikos attack, only lasted 10 minutes. A big shame for TNS.
Josh Pask-6.5
Had a couple of very good clearances from crosses in the first half to stop certain goals and nearly got on the scoresheet himself when he flicked on at the near post from a corner.
Good effort at centre back and did not disgrace himself one bit.
Harrison McGahey-5
Let Panathinaikos in behind a couple of times and gave away the penalty that finished the game off.
Was overall decent but a couple of big moments are unfortunately what this game will be remembered for from Harrison will be some bad moments.
Danny Davies-7
Possibly the most involved player on the pitch. A lot of Panathinaikos attacks went down his side, and although he was caught short a couple times at the back, his forward play was very impressive.
Got past his man a few times and gave as much as he got, a good attacking performance from the left back.
Ben Clark- 6.5
As busy as he could be playing as a second striker against superior opposition.
Some good touches in there and held up play well when he could.
Gave TNS a great opportunity when he played Rory Holden in on goal.
Danny Redmond-6
Dictated play well but created no real opportunities for his side. Not bad but just not as good as the captain would have liked.
Dan Williams-7
Came off after just after 60 minutes following a dogged performance in midfield. Occasionally lost the ball slightly cheaply but his defensive work was very impressive. A good shift from Dan.
Ryan Brobbel-6
A couple of dangerous deliveries from corners papered over the cracks a bit for Brobbel, who despite some nice touches here and there, was ultimately ineffective.
Was not an easy task for him tonight.
Rory Holden- 6
Did not see a huge amount of the ball, did what he could with what he got given. Not involved enough to warrant a higher rating.
Broke away in the second half but failed to make it count.
Jordan Williams-6
Struggled to get hugely involved in the game. Held his defensive shape well with plenty of covering but in general not the impact he would have liked before a 63rd minute substitution.
Substitutes:
Josh Daniels-6.5
Steady from Daniels. His key moment was when he stopped a certain Panathinaikos goal with a last-ditch challenge after Connor Roberts was beaten to the ball.
It was always going to be difficult coming off the bench early on due to Ash Baker’s 10th minute injury.
Declan McManus-6.5
Good running in his half an hour cameo and some good holdup play, looked promising off the bench.
Leo Smith-6
Plenty of energy when coming on but little subtsance of note.
Sion Bradley-N/A
Came on too late to be fairly judged, a huge chance fell to him at the end which he scuffed.
Adam Wilson-N/A
Came on too late to be judged.
