Goals from Daniel Davies, Danny Williams and Ben Clarke gave The New Saints a deserved 3-0 away win in their UEFA Conference League play-off against Panevezys of Lithuania.
In a dominant display from the Cymru Premier champions a reactive finish from Davies followed by a sensational solo effort from Williams gave TNS a well earned lead early in the second half.
Substitute Ben Clark then added a third late on to give the Welsh side a giant advantage heading into the second leg.
The result now means that a positive result next week at Park Hall will see TNS become the first Welsh side to reach the group stages of a major European competition.
It was a positive start from TNS as they looked to gain early dominance of the ball, a situation they’ve struggled to find themselves in during their previous European outings.
The Welsh side had a number of early crossing opportunities out wide and from set pieces but were unable to test the Panevėžys keeper.
The first real effort at goal came from Danny Williams in the 12th minute, however his speculative first time effort whistled wide of the post.
The home side, who sit bottom of their league looked bereft of confidence as they failed to gain a foothold in the game, they looked to counter in quick bursts after regaining possession but never looked like troubling the TNS defence.
TNS came closest to an opener in the 34th minute as Rory Holden made Vytautas Cerniauskascurling work in goal to keep the effort out with a diving save.
Despite dominating the first half they were unable to break down the Lithuanian sides defence with both sides heading into the break goalless.
They started the second half as they finished the first and it didn’t take them long to find the opener. Daniel Davies managing to instinctively flick home an effort following a corner.
Nicolàs Gorobsov somehow managed to remain on the field receiving only a yellow card following a dangerous two-footed lunging challenge on Jack Bodenham.
Craig Harrison’s men found themselves two ahead in the 64th minute with Danny Williams brilliant solo effort. The winger danced his way into the box before firing home from a tight angle to double their advantage.
Danny Williams with sensational solo run to seal TNS victory
The home side came close to halving the deficit as substitute Jovan Čadjenović’s header from a wide free-kick dropped inches wide of the post.
TNS punished them further as substitute Ben Clarke added a third in second half added time as he tapped home from close range to seal a perfect performance.
They were able to maintain their clean sheet as the final whistle blew taking a huge advantage into the second leg at home next week.
Panevėžys
Vytautas Cerniauskas (GK), Kaspars Dubra, Nicolàs Gorobsov (Jovan Čadjenović 65′), Róbert Mazán, Rokas Rasimavicius, Amine Benchaib, Ernestas Veliulis (Jeffrey Sarpong 65′), Linas Klimavicius, Sivert Gussiås (Noel Mbo 65′), Federico Palacios (Domantas Vaicekauskas 82′), Cheikhou Dieng
Yellow cards: Kaspars Dubra 24′ Amine Benchaib 44′ Nicolàs Gorobsov 57′ Jeffrey Sarpong 88′
TNS
Connor Roberts (GK), Joshua Daniels, Daniel Davies, Jordan Marshall (Josh Pask 80′), Leo Smith, Rory Holden (Ben Clark 80′), Jack Bodenham, Daniel Redmond, Danny Williams, Brad Young (Sion Bradley 87′), Adrian Cieslewicz (Adam Wilson 80′)
Goals: Daniel Davies 52′ Danny Williams 64′ Ben Clark 90+1
Yellow cards: Joshua Daniels 42′ Connor Roberts 57′ Jordan Marshall 74′
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