Dean Ebbe comes off the bench to rescue The New Saints
Dean Ebbe kept The New Saints alive in the Europa League with a crucial leveller to deny Lincoln Reds Imps at a blustery Victoria Stadium on Gibraltar, writes John Bridgwater.
Despite leading 2-1 from the first leg, the Saints faced the prospect of elimination on away goals after trailing to Juan Montesinos Romero’s 41st-minute opener in the return.
Having struggled to get into their stride, the Welsh Premier champions upped the tempo in the second half before Ebbe pounced eight minutes from time – the striker’s third goal in as many European outings to earn a 3-2 victory on aggregate.
After the Irish forward’s priceless close-range reply, the Saints now take on Danish side FC Midtjylland in the third qualifying round at the Cardiff City Stadium next Thursday.
Scott Ruscoe’s men looked out of sorts in the first period against the tenacious Imps in a swirling wind on a ground overlooked by the Gibraltar Rock.
TNS keeper Paul Harrison pulled off one fine save, but was beaten four minutes before half time when Montesinos Romero converted after the visitors had failed to deal with a corner.
The Imps – who famously defeated Scottish champions Celtic at home two years ago – could have doubled their advantage soon after the break only to put a good chance wide.
However, the Saints, with Ebbe appearing as a half time substitute for Kurtis Byrne, were now showing more purpose with Jamie Mullan going close.
With time running out, Adrian Cieslewicz and Greg Draper came off the bench, and immediately added more zest as the Saints battled to retrieve the tie.
And eight minutes from time, the visitors hit back when Chris Marriott sent a free-kick into box, the ball falling for Ebbe who stabbed home in predatory fashion to put his side ahead on aggregate.
The Red Imps had looked a different proposition from the side that toiled in the first leg, but could find no way back as the Oswestry men saw out the tie to keep their flag flying in the competition.
Team:
TNS: Harrison, Marriott, Lewis, Cabango, Hudson, Holland (Draper 79), Routledge, Redmond (Cieslewicz 68), Mullan, Edwards, Byrne (Ebbe 46). Subs not used: Spender, Seargeant, Nembjard, Roberts.
