The New Saints 1-2 Europa FC
UEFA Champions League, first qualifying round, first-leg
Welsh champions The New Saints will face a difficult second-leg in Portugal next week after Scott Ruscoe’s first game as interim manager ended in a 2-1 defeat to Europa FC.
The visiting side were punishing on the counter-attack and ruthless in front of goal, capitalising on poor defending from the Saints.
Scott Quigley’s outstanding strike disguised a lacklustre first-half from the Welsh side but without every truly taking command of the game, Europa were able to claim a second away-goal leaving the Welsh Premier League side with an uphill struggle in the return-leg.
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Pre-match talk of a strong and assertive start from the Saints quickly evaporated when Europa took full advantage of some nervy defending from the hosts to force an eighth-minute lead.
Europa’s Gomez Bernal slipped the ball past Simon Spender to allow Alex Quillo to finish from close range.
The New Saints struggled to settle and find a response and they were let off the hook a minute before half-time after some individual brilliance from Scott Quuigley sent them in level at the break.
The striker single-handedly restored parity, producing a deft touch to free himself of his marker before a thumping a half-volley high into the net.
Europa were not done however and regained their lead on 78-minutes after withholding a spell of TNS pressure.
Poor defending again proved to be the Saints’ downfall when Liam Walker was able to pick out Gomez Bernal in space to curl a finish past Paul Harrison.
The visitors threatened again in the dying stages when Carreno’s effort clipped the crossbar and the Saints are left with plenty to ponder going into Tuesday’s second-leg in Faro.
This was a disappointing return to Europe for the Welsh Premier League champions.
