By Gareth James

The New Saints have taken a commanding step towards the Europa Conference League group stages with a stunning and dominant 3-0 win over FK Panevėžys in Lithuania.

Despite key absences, TNS now return to Park Hall poised to become the first Cymru Premier team to reach the group stage of a European competition.

Craig Harrison’s side dropped into the Europa Conference League after losing 1-0 on aggregate to Moldovan team Petrocub in the Europa League third qualifying round.

“Sometimes you get what you deserve and the boys were fantastic today,” said manager Harrison.

“It was a massive performance that showed togetherness and all the fundamentals of football that sometimes people take for granted.

“But we can’t afford to become sloppy. We have another 90 minutes to go and lots of things can still happen.”

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1826738282832572756

After a goalless first half, Danny Davies broke the deadlock with a header in the 52nd minute.

Dan Williams then skillfully navigated past defenders to double the lead, and Ben Clark sealed the victory with a stoppage-time goal.

After a goalless first half, during which Rory Holden was denied by a great save from Vytautas Cerniauskas, the Saints finally grabbed the lead as Holden delivered a quick corner and Davies stooped to head home.

The New Saints took control of their Europa Conference League play-off after winning the first leg 3-0 away to Lithuanian side FK Panevėžys in Vilnius ⚽#BBCFootball

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) August 22, 2024

The lead was doubled when Williams weaved his way past two Panevezys defenders into the penalty area and placed his shot inside the far post.

And Clark wrapped it up in stoppage time to give TNS a three-goal lead to take back to Oswestry.

The Cymru Premier champions made light of missing injured Declan McManus, Ryan Brobbel and Ash Baker, while Jordan Williams sat out through suspension.

Saints now host Panevėžys in the second leg on Thursday, 29 August at Park Hall in Oswestry, knowing they have the chance to make history by becoming the first domestic Welsh club to reach the group stages of a European club competition.

We captured all the goal scorers together, on film, after the game as three became four. pic.twitter.com/85HqcwLPxn

— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) August 22, 2024