UEFA Conference League

Play-off Second Leg

The New Saints 0 (3)

FK Panevezys 0 (0)

Att: 1,097

THE New Saints have booked an historic place in the UEFA Conference League and European group stage football after seeing Lithuanian champions FK Panevezys.

With a commanding 3-0 lead from the Playo-off first leg last week, Saints worked hard to preserve their score and become the first Cymru Premier team to qualify for group-stage football.

Veteran striker Adrian Ciewlewicz had the Saints’ first sight of goal inside five minutes when Leo Smith’s pullback evaded Adam Wilson – making his second full debut – but he fired at the keeper.

Wilson, in for Brad Young, then went on a rampaging, skilful run minutes later, only to be hacked down which led to a Rory Holden free-kick deflected wide.

Saints were often reminded that their visitors have also made it this far in the tournament but as in the first leg, FK Panevezys struggled with that killer touch.

On the half hour, Cieslewicz couldn’t quite turn his body and keep his shot down as visiting keeper Emil Timbur dived in his way.

It was then TNS’s turn to withstand pressure as the visitors tried to find a way back into the game, with Roberts making a firm save from Cheikhou Dieng’s firm drive on 41 minutes, coming after two great blocks by Saints.

Saints started quickly again as Wilson, who tailed off in the first period, showed great skill to avoid his man but his shot was deflected wide.

Saints should have taken the lead inside the first five minutes of the second half when skipper Danny Redmond spooned his shot over the bar after great work by Wilson.

Then the on-loan striker then was next to have the chance to score but his left-footed effort two minutes later was smothered by Timbur.

Saints boss Harrison, who had been high-fiving ball boys after half-time, was shown a yellow card for a reaction to a free-kick awarded against the Saints on 55 minutes.

TNS’s cause was boosted after Rasimavicius, a late pre-match replacement, was shown a second yellow after he fouled Ciewlewicz on 62 mins.

Saints continued to push for a breakthrough to give the home a goal to cheer them into the draw on Friday as Rory Holden fired into Timbur’s arms on 74 minutes.

TNS were given a scare when Roberts came to collect on 78 minutes but a mix-up led to him desperately scrambling back to his goal and conceding a corner.

Much to the home side’s delight, the game began to peter out in the final 10 minutes as TNS chose to knock the ball around with aplomb.

Saints had a few late chances to put the cherry on top but their fans were left delighted with European league football.

TNS: Roberts, Daniels, Davies, Bodenham, Marshall (Pask 19), Redmond (c), Smith, Williams (Bradley 89), Cieslewicz (Hudson 89), Wilson (Clark 76), Holden

Subs not used: Edwards, Olusunde, Brobbel, McManus, Baker, Canavan, Woollam, Jones