The New Saints will need to lift themselves after a last-gasp defeat in Lithuania frustrated their best laid plans in last night’s Uefa Cup opener at FK Suduva.That’s the message from general manager Ian Williams after the Welsh Premier side were edged out 1-0 in the first qualifying round at the Marijampole Stadium.
The Oswestry-based side had held out for 89 minutes but were finally breached when Sergei Koziuberda scored from eight yards to carve a slim first leg advantage.
Williams knows the Saints cannot afford to dwell on the “sucker punch” a they look to bounce back in the “home” leg at Newtown at the end of the month.
“It was disappointing not to come away with a draw as our gameplan worked really well right up to the death,” he said. “I thought we defended well and had a couple of chances ourselves, so it was harsh to lose like we did at the end.
“When you go into a country and play a team you don’t know much about it’s not easy, but I thought we performed well. We’re obviously a bit down, but it’s only half time and I’m sure we can do something at Newtown. It’s not over.
“We’ll now have to lift ourselves but we’ve got a very capable management team and I’m sure Andy Cale can inspire the players for the return leg.”
The Saints could certainly take heart from a brave display that looked set to earn a share of the spoils before the Lithuanians, roared on by a crowd of 2,500, struck in the last minute of normal time.
TNS’s best moments had come in the first half, Scott Ruscoe lobbing narrowly wide from Steven Beck’s left wing cross on four minutes while Michael Wilde was also just off target midway through the first period after a well constructed move.
The Saints will now take a few days off after flying back, before plotting their line of attack for the return leg at Newtown on Thursday July, 31 (6.45pm).
They have a good record at Latham Park, and will be boosted by the knowledge they defeated Latvian champions FK Ventspils 3-2 last summer, their first win on the European stage.
Front runner Alfie Carter is set to be back in contention after a leg injury kept him on the bench of last night’s first leg action.
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