By David Williams
The New Saints manager Craig Harrison has urged his players to move on quickly from their latest Euro heartbreak – and pocket the consolation prize.
His team were unable to overcome a one goal deficit from the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round clash with Moldovan champions Petrocub and were knocked out of the tournament after a goalless draw.
Defeat means Harrison’s side will now play in the play-offs to reach the group stages of the Europa Conference League.
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Victory in that match would still see TNS become the first Welsh side from the domestic leagues to move beyond the qualifying rounds to the group stages in a European competition.
“We had a couple of opportunities where we could have done better, but the lads gave everything,” said Harrison.
“But we have to move on to the next opportunity. There is no point wallowing in the corner and crying about it.
“We dominated the game, we hardly gave them a single opportunity, but we just couldn’t take ours.”
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The perennial JD Cymru Premier champions went into the match at Park Hall trailing 1-0 after conceding an own goal in Chișinău and had high hopes of reaching the group stage in Europe for the first time.
But their job became harder when Jordan Williams was sent off in the 40th minute after catching Ion Jarden with a swinging elbow.
The Modovans only had an extra man for seven minutes, though, as Dan Puscas picked up a second yellow in first half injury time.
Saints keeper Connor Roberts had to save smartly from Vladimir Ambros on the hour mark, while at the other end Danny Redmond was just wide of the mark with a volley and Declan McManus was off target with a chance inside the area.
Head coach, Craig Harrison, shares his thoughts on this evening’s game against FC Petrocub. https://t.co/5gv2c0gccl pic.twitter.com/hyc5ycq7pb
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) August 13, 2024
