By Paul Jones
Craig Harrison is dreaming of The New Saints making the knockout stages of a European tournament after they became the first Welsh Premier side to gather points at the group stage of a major European competition.
TNS beat Astana from Kazakhstan, 2-0 at The New Meadow, Shrewsbury Town’s ground, to write themselves into the history books.
Rory Holden’s header five minutes before the break paved the way for a historic Conference League victory, which was wrapped up in the final quarter after Branimir Kalaica handled a powerful shot from substitute Adam Wilson.
Hard to sum up the brilliant craziness of the Europa Conference League better than Astana coming from Kazakhstan to Shrewsbury to take on The New Saints on a Thursday night. What a competition! pic.twitter.com/RClGmDu0xf
— Paul Watson (@paul_c_watson) October 24, 2024
Declan McManus sent his 78th penalty down the middle as Aleksandr Zarutskiy dived to his right, and there was no route back for the Kazakhstan visitors after that.
“It was going to be a special night whatever happened, with it being the first home game in the competition,” said Saints manager Harrison.
“I am just proud of the players, all the staff and everyone involved because a lot goes on behind the scenes.
“It could have been more, we had good chances in the game but we’ll keep our feet on the ground and if we keep putting in performances like that then we will ask questions.
“Where it takes us I don’t know, but we will try and get as close to seven points as possible.
“There is the bigger picture and we have a lot of football intelligent people at the club who were thinking we don’t want to get beat five, six or seven at Fiorentina.
“There are so called minnows who will get beat four or five and we’ve gone and lost 2-0 which is good for our goal difference and it could be key with the top 24.
“Seven points with a good goal difference could get you in.”
A historic night at The New Meadow, as The New Saints defeat Astana 2-0 to record their first-ever victory in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League. #UECL pic.twitter.com/CSgpJWIZNU
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) October 24, 2024
Shrewsbury’s New Meadow played host to Welsh football’s big night with UEFA regulations preventing TNS from playing at their Oswestry home 20 miles away.
Astana had made a marathon trip to Shropshire on Tuesday with a nine-hour flight to London and a three-hour coach journey to their Telford base.
They had beaten Serbian side TSC in this competition three weeks ago, but domestic matters were clearly on their mind with 11 players left at home ahead of Sunday’s Kazakhstan Premier League clash against Aktobe.
TNS – fresh from a 16-0 Welsh Cup record-equalling victory over Llangollen – would have been lifted by news of facing Astana’s second string after losing their Conference League opener 2-0 at Fiorentina.
Connor Roberts had excelled himself at the Artemio Franchi Stadium by keeping Fiorentina out for 65 minutes, but he was almost beaten straight away as Ramazan Karimov’s shot bounced off a post.
Roberts’ strong hand denied Stanislav Basmanov from the angle before TNS exhibited their counter-attacking ability.
McManus managed to get his toe on Holden’s cross and force a save from Zarutskiy.
Following the 2-0 victory against Astana, club media chatted with our head coach, Craig Harrison. pic.twitter.com/tzOPyjtNk8
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) October 25, 2024
Another slick TNS break ended with McManus meeting Jordan Williams’ cross, though it lacked the power to trouble Zarutskiy.
Astana failed to make their bulk of possession count as attacks broke down in the final third, and their carelessness was punished before the interval.
McManus held the ball up well and Ryan Brobbel sprayed a delightful pass to the left.
Williams was played into space and Holden – who has trod the Football League boards at Rochdale, Barrow, Walsall and Port Vale – dispatched his inviting cross with a superb header.
TNS saw strong claims for a penalty rejected two minutes later after Holden’s effort was cleared off the line by Abzal Beysebekov.
"Overall we probably deserved it."
Ymateb Craig Harrison yn dilyn buddugoliaeth hanesyddol Y Seintiau Newydd yn erbyn Astana.
Craig Harrison reacts following The New Saints historic win against Astana. pic.twitter.com/3ZFloJ8G2Q
— Sgorio ⚽️ (@sgorio) October 24, 2024
Holden was taken out by Zarutskiy after making contact with the ball, but neither Estonian referee Juri Frischer nor VAR were interested in TNS appeals.
The only upshot was a booking for Craig Harrison over his touchline protest, but the TNS boss must have been delighted with the maturity of his side’s performance.
Zarutskiy’s double save from Daniel Williams and McManus stopped TNS from extending their lead at the start of the season.
Astana pushed for an equaliser and Nnamdi Ahanonu rattled the woodwork with Roberts’ touch proving vital, but their resistance was ended as McManus kept his cool from 12 yards.
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