A 2-1 win over Aberystwyth Town in the 2015 European play-off final earned Newtown a Europa League debut.
The Robins faced 25-time Maltese Premier League Champions Valletta, who had a rich history in European competition, having faced the likes of Inter Milan, Leeds United, Rangers, Juventus and Porto since their inception in 1943.
In the club’s first taste of the Europa League, Chris Hughes’ side claimed a historic 2-1 victory, with striker Jason Oswell scoring a dramatic late winner.
Former Newtown player Matthew Hearsey described the occasion as a “massive achievement for the club”.
“We had a really good feeling going into the game as we had nothing to lose being the underdogs and pressure being on them as they had been at this stage many times,” said the 29-year-old.
A sell-out crowd of 1,420 witnessed the Robins’ victory over the Maltese champions at Latham Park.
It was their support which helped the team over the line, Hearsey says: “Fans always play a big part. The noise and passion can push you on even more, and to hear them getting excited gives you that little extra push.
“To have that whole place packed to watch European football got the town talking, and people travelling a long way to see you play is something special.”
Taking a 2-1 lead to Malta, goals from Oswell and Matty Owen sealed a remarkable 4-2 aggregate victory for Newtown, with a second qualifying round tie against Danish giants F.C Copenhagen their reward.
On playing at Copenhagen’s 38,065 capacity Parken Stadium, Hearsey said: “Playing in that stadium was incredible. The night before we realised how big a moment it was driving into the ground, seeing their achievements and the calibre of teams they had recently played in the Champions League – the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona.
“To think we were facing that same club was something very special and it’s sometimes hard to explain.
“Don’t get me wrong, they were a different class to us, but it was still something to remember and see that next level we would need to be, but it was still a pleasure to play in such an occasion,” he added.
Newtown fought valiantly over the two legs against Copenhagen, bowing out of their debut Europa League campaign with a respectable 5-1 aggregate loss.
We’ve taken a look at the Robins’ side that secured history by winning in Europe for the first time, and where they are today.
Dave Jones
It was testament to Newtown’s overall performance that goalkeeper Dave Jones had a comfortable game between the sticks, as the Robins reduced Valletta to minimal efforts on goal.
Manager Chris Hughes told Sgorio after the game: “If we’d have won the game by four or five I don’t think anyone could have complained,” showing that the Robins’ shot-stopper had little to do, as Hughes’ side were in control throughout.
Jones remains a dependable figure between the sticks at Latham Park, having kept eight clean sheets in the Cymru Premier last season.
Stefan Edwards
Newtown’s left-back in their Europa League debut was Stefan Edwards.
Edwards joined the Robins in 2014 from Bala Town, and spent three seasons at Latham Park, before signing for Airbus UK Broughton in 2017.
Having achieved promotion in his first season with the Wingmakers, Edwards then spent a season and a half at Aberystwyth Town, before joining Cefn Druids in January 2020.
Matty Owen
Matty Owen played an influential part in the Robins’ success in their first taste of Europa League football.
Owen started both games against Valletta, crossing for Luke Boundford to open the scoring in the first leg.
The former Robin also scored the decisive goal in the second leg, shortly after having a penalty saved by the opposition goalkeeper Nicky Vella.
The midfielder left Latham Park in 2016 to sign for Connah’s Quay Nomads, and returned to Cefn Druids two years later.
Kieran Mills-Evans
Newtown’s centre-back partnership of Kieran Mills-Evans and Shane Sutton was key to the Robins’ Europa League success.
Mills-Evans remains an important part of Hughes’ side, and has been at the heart of a defence which has proved to be difficult to break down in recent seasons.
The Robins’ vice-captain is one of ten players to commit to the club ahead of next season, along with five new signings.
Shane Sutton
Mills-Evans’ centre-back partner in Newtown’s Europa League debut was captain Shane Sutton.
The defender has since signed for AFC Telford, and is now going into his fourth season with the Bucks, having signed a two-year contract in 2019.
Sutton’s move to Telford is one that proves that players in the Cymru Leagues are capable of making the move to the English system.
Matthew Hearsey
Matthew Hearsey certainly played his part in the Robins’ Europa League success, as he scored the winner in the European play-off final win over Aberystwyth Town to earn the club their place in European competition.
Hearsey described the home leg against Valletta at Latham Park as the “proudest moment of my footballing career.”
He added: “It was such a buzz that night and it’s so exciting playing in a competition you see on tv every year. The team we had and kept from the season before gave us a chance to surprise people, we deserved to win the game on how we played and knew we needed that last minute goal to give us the edge going into the away leg. You can see from the celebrations how much it meant to everyone.”
Since his departure from Latham Park in 2016, Hearsey has featured for the likes of Rushall Olympic, Halesowen Town and Sutton Coldfield Town.
Luke Boundford
During his eight years at Newtown, Luke Boundford scored goals of paramount importance.
The striker netted a last-minute winner in the European play-off semi-final win over Port Talbot Town on Newtown’s way to Europa League qualification.
Boundford also opened the scoring in the home win over Valletta, heading Matty Owen’s cross past opposition goalkeeper Vella.
The striker is now playing for fellow Cymru Premier side Aberystwyth Town, having signed for the Seasiders in July 2019.
Jason Oswell
A key player in Newtown’s Europa League debut victory, Jason Oswell was the Robins’ main threat, scoring in both legs against Valletta.
When asked about Oswell’s importance to the side, Hearsey said: “Every player was so important to that squad because that made us special at the time, we had a togetherness like no other. We felt on our day we could beat anyone, but goals win you games and we had a top striker and it showed in how he progressed after Newtown.”
“He scored a lot of goals – and crucial ones – but we needed to supply him with the chances and luckily for us he was always there to finish them,” he added.
Oswell went on to claim the Golden Boot in the 2016-2017 season, scoring 22 goals in 31 games, which earned him the Cymru Premier Player of the Season award and a move to Stockport County.
The striker continued his form as he scored 25 league goals in his first season for Stockport, sparking interest from Football League clubs.
Oswell signed for Morecambe in June 2018 and spent just half a season with the Shrimps, before joining Wrexham.
The forward has since started an online physiotherapy business, and it was announced yesterday that he has joined National League North side AFC Telford United.
Neil Mitchell
Another key part in Newtown’s Europa League success, who is still at the club, is Neil Mitchell.
Despite re-joining the club from Caersws in 2013 as an attacking player, Mitchell has been used as a versatile and dependable utility player this season, partnering Mills-Evans at the heart of the Robins’ defence.
Mitchell is one of ten players who have agreed to extend their stay at Latham Park, in addition to the five new arrivals.
Craig Williams
Right-back Craig Williams was heavily involved in the tie against Valletta, as he crossed for Oswell to turn-in for the last-minute winner in the home leg.
In similar vein, Williams’ cross was headed home by Oswell to open the scoring in the away fixture in Malta.
The defender is now the Robins’ captain and made his 400th Cymru Premier appearance in the 1-0 win over Carmarthen Town in December 2019.
Tom Goodwin
Midfielder Tom Goodwin opened the scoring in the European play-off final win over Aberystwyth Town.
Goodwin went on to be awarded Newtown’s Player of the Season in 2015, and started both games against Valletta.
After six seasons at Latham Park, the midfielder joined Caersws on loan in September 2019, but has signed a new contract with the Robins ahead of next season.
Sean Evans
Former Manchester United under-23 left-sided midfielder Sean Evans came on for Hughes’ side in the 78th minute, replacing Owen.
Evans joined the Robins from Stourbridge in 2013, and spent three years at the club, before departing in 2016 to sign for Caersws.
Gavin Cadwallader
Cadwallader came on as a late substitution for Newtown in the home leg against Valletta, replacing Sutton in the 90th minute.
The defender played two seasons for the Robins, before retiring in June 2017, and had a spell on Hughes’ coaching staff.
Jamie Price
Hughes’ first substitution in the first leg win over Valletta was Jamie Price, who came on in the 69th minute, replacing Mitchell.
The former Birmingham City attacking midfielder went on to end The New Saints’ record of 27 consecutive wins, scoring a last-minute free-kick in a 3-3 draw with the Saints in January 2017.
He departed Newtown in July 2018.
Matthew Cook
Defensive midfielder Matthew Cook was an unused substitute in the game at Latham Park.
Cook went on to depart the Robins in 2016 and has since played for Cefn Druids, Denbigh and Rhyl.
Jack Perry
The Robins’ substitute goalkeeper was Jack Perry.
The young shot-stopper deputised for Jones, and announced his departure from Newtown in July 2019, going on to sign for Llanidloes Town in January.
Gareth Partridge
Another of the unused substitutes was midfielder Gareth Partridge.
Similarly to Cook, Partridge had spells at Cefn Druids, Denbigh and Rhyl following his departure from Newtown and has most recently featured for Oswestry Town.
Craig Harris
The final player on Newtown’s team-sheet for their Europa League debut was midfielder Craig Harris.
Harris departed Latham Park in 2016 and has since played for Caersws and Oswestry Town.
(Featured image: Matthew Lofthouse)
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