The New Saints will aim to overturn a 1-0 deficit when they host Flora Tallinn in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie at Park Hall on Thursday (KO 18:30 BST).
Craig Harrison’s side suffered a narrow loss in Estonia last week as Remo Valdmets’ first half goal earned the advantage for Flora. The Saints finished the game strongly, however, with Dan Williams coming closest to an equaliser when his effort deflected onto the crossbar.
Indeed, despite the defeat, Harrison was upbeat when giving his post-match reflections.
“It puts us in a good position. We’re really encouraged by the last 15, 20 minutes where we finished really strong. The lads looked fit, strong, really full of energy and we should have scored a goal.
“I think we probably deserved a 1-1 draw. We probably didn’t do enough to win the game, but I certainly don’t think they did either. 1-0 is certainly not the end of the world. It’s game on and we’ll be ready to go again at Park Hall.”
However, TNS have not overturned a first leg defeat to progress from a European tie in nine years so must hope something changes if they are to reach the third qualifying round against Andorran side Inter Club d’Escaldes.
The Saints made a triple change on the hour mark last week – as Ben Clark, Eoin Farrell and Rory Holden all came on – which made the side look much livelier, so that trio may push to start at Park Hall.
Dan Williams moved into midfield in Estonia after being deployed at right-back in both games against Sabah in the UEFA Champions League, which was a switch that worked as the former Swansea City youngster was a key threat.
It has been a disappointing European campaign so far for last season’s Novira Cymru Premier Golden Boot winner Jordan Williams, who has managed just one shot on target in three games.
The Saints are limited in terms of alternatives up front as Brad Young and Ben Wilson have both been sidelined through injury, although Harrison did offer some positive news on the latter after last week’s first leg.
“They’ve been muscle injuries which you can’t really take a chance on. Ben wasn’t ready for tonight, but we’ve got a full week now and I’m pretty confident that he could be ready to play 15-20 minutes next week. He’s an out and out goalscorer and he might just have that cool head in the box when things are bouncing around.”
