This season’s European story came to a close for The New Saints as Slovenian outfit Celje claimed a 3-2 victory to leave the JD Cymru Premier champions outside of the top 24 in the final League Phase standings of the UEFA Conference League.
Despite the defeat it was another spirited performance from Craig Harrison’s side. This was the first time that they had conceded more than two goals in a game in the League Phase, and they can reflect positively on what they have achieved after heading into the unknown as the first club from the Welsh domestic game to reach this stage of European competition.
In fact, they twice took the lead on what turned out to be a dramatic evening. Harrison described the chances of his side claiming a play-off place as ‘thin’ in his pre-match press conference, but the fact that his side were even in contention heading into the final round of fixtures was testament to how they have consistently performed throughout this campaign.
Needing a victory and a string of other results to go in their favour, progress would require something of a Christmas miracle. Managed by former Manchester City, Liverpool and Spain winger Albert Riera, Celje went into the match just one point and one place below the play-off positions, but only named five outfield substitutes for this must-win match.
Meanwhile, Harrison made three changes to his starting line-up from the 2-0 defeat against Panathinaikos last week as Josh Daniels, Leo Smith and Declan McManus replaced Harrison McGahey, Ash Baker and Jordan Williams.
Defensive organisation and discipline have been standout qualities of TNS during this European campaign, but a nervy start from the visitors saw Edmilson put the ball in the net for Celje inside the opening three minutes only for the striker to be flagged offside.
Another early scare followed when a dangerous free-kick from Svit Sešlar flew across the TNS area without the contact needed to take the ball past Connor Roberts.
However, TNS would take the lead on 19 minutes when Danny Davies converted a fine free-kick from Ryan Brobbel to head his side into the lead. They say that teams are at their most vulnerable after scoring a goal, and within a minute a poor ball back to Roberts from Smith was intercepted by Edmilson and he made no mistake to level the score. Celje were then denied a second goal on the 30 minute mark following a VAR review.
The opening half would end with drama and a sense of déjà vu. On 42 minutes Rory Holden capitalised on a superb cross-field ball from Brobbel and finished past goalkeeper Matjaž Rozman with a well-taken strike. Incredibly, Celje again equalised within a minute of the re-start as a long ball over the top caused confusion in the TNS defence and Edmilson made no mistake to score his second goal of the night.
A must-win match for both teams, Riera was clearly unhappy that his Celje side had fallen behind twice and made three changes at half-time. There was a determination from Celje to get a third goal as they laid siege on the TNS area with Juanjo Nieto central to their creative play. Roberts had to be at his best to keep the score level as the player of the campaign pulled off a string of fine saves.
Jordan Marshall and Adrian Cieślewicz were introduced on the hour mark, and five minutes later the attacking threats of Adam Wilson and Jordan Williams also joined the fray to highlight the positive intentions of TNS.
On 69 minutes, Wilson showed his quality as he weaved his way through to the Celje defence but couldn’t direct his effort on target. However, it was Celje who quickly reasserted their authority on the game. The hosts took the lead on 79 minutes when Sešlar’s effort found a way past Roberts and David Zec slid in at the back post to take the ball over the line.
The advantage could have been extended but Roberts was equal to every effort as he made a number of point-blank saves to keep TNS in the match until the final whistle, although both teams had chances to score in added time in this highly-charged encounter.
The emotions of the night continued to spill over after the final whistle with both benches getting involved in an altercation. However, it was Celje who would claim the 3-2 win to qualify for the knockout phase play-offs, leaving TNS 32nd in the final standings and out of the competition.
“It’s heart-wrenching,” said Harrison to TNT Sports after the match. “You need to ride the storm out after scoring and it could have been a lot different. The manner of all three goals were disappointing from a defensive point of view. But the lads have been excellent and given everything and that’s all I’ve ever asked from them.
“I’ve got nothing but pride. On and off the pitch, everyone has stuck together and we were still in the competition right up until the final minutes of the game. We’re unfortunate not to get something, but to go ahead twice and come away with nothing was disappointing.”
Goalscorer Rory Holden also spoke to TNT Sports after the final whistle. “Obviously it’s disappointing to go up twice and end up with a loss but the lads dug in well. On another day, maybe we come away with a point.
“I was buzzing to get my second goal in Europe, to score again in Europe is a dream come true. It’s been an amazing experience, as a kid growing up you want to play in these things and we did it. Obviously we wanted to get to the next round, but it is what it is.”
