This week will go down as one of the best European weeks in Welsh history, as three of the four JD Cymru Premier clubs secured first leg victories.
The week got underway at Park Hall, where The New Saints welcomed FK Dečić of Montenegro, and the Saints put in a perfect performance to take a 3-0 lead to the Balkans next week.
Brad Young finished as the league’s top scorer last season, and he picked up where he left off, as his powerful shot nestled in the back of the net after three minutes.
He would have his second goal of the game before the half hour mark, putting the ball away after it hit the post.
Things got even better before the half ended, as Danny Davies latched onto a loose ball in the box to make it three.
A professional second half saw TNS preserve their clean sheet and take a big advantage out to Montenegro.
To Nantporth, and Caernarfon Town have waited 87 years to take their first steps in Europe, and they wasted no time in making a big impression, as they defeated Crusaders of Northern Ireland 2-0.
A special game needs a special moment, and for the 1000 plus fans that packed into the ground, they only had to wait four minutes for it.
Morgan Owen picked up the ball in acres of space before firing a howitzer over the keeper.
They doubled the lead before the break, as Darren Thomas’ finely weighted pass found the run of Zack Clarke, who tucked the ball away. Crusaders did put more pressure on in the second half, but they never troubled Stephen McMullan, as the Cofis take a crucial lead over to Belfast next week.
The only side playing outside of Wales this week were Connah’s Quay Nomads, but they too picked up a monumental win, as they beat NK Bravo 1-0 in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana.
After Bravo’s Matej Poplantik went close in the first half, Neil Gibson’s men began to dominate the tie.
Ben Nash, Noah Edwards, and Harry Franklin all went close, but they couldn’t find that crucial goal. That was until the 83rd minute, when Ben Maher fired home after Callum Bratley hit the crossbar.
A great away win for the Welsh Cup winners, who pick up their first European victory since 2021.
Unfortunately for Bala Town, they couldn’t make it four wins from four for the Welsh clubs, as they lost 2-1 against Paide Linnameeskond of Estonia.
After a goalless first half, Paide went in front through substitute Abdoulie Ceesay, who put the ball past Joel Torrence.
In stoppage time, the lead was doubled through Predrag Medic.
However, at the death, the Lakesiders pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, as Josh Ukek stroked home after Uniss Karbo was fouled by Daniel Luts.
How crucial could that goal be?
European Action
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