Joy for Caernarfon and Nomads in Europe – and Bala grab a late lifeline

It was a special night for the Cymru Premier as two of its three representatives earned memorable wins in Europe.

Debutants Caernarfon Town and Welsh Cup holders Connah’s Quay Nomads were both victorious in their respective Uefa Conference League qualifying round first legs, while Bala Town are still in with a shout after a late penalty reduced their loss to 2-1.

Caernarfon defeated Crusaders of Northern Ireland 2-0 at Nantporth Stadium, Nomads took the honours 1-0 in Slovenia against NK Bravo and Bala were beaten 2-1 at home by Estonia’s Paide Linnameeskond.

REPORTS – UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND FIRST LEG

Caernarfon Town 2 (Owen 4, Clarke 37)
Crusaders 0

It was arguably the most famous night in Caernarfon Town’s history as they triumphed on their European debut at the expense of NIFL Premiership visitors Crusaders of Belfast.

Richard Davies’ side made a dream start with a magnificent goal in the fourth minute.

Darren Thomas fed a precision pass from the left into the path of Morgan Owen, whose right-foot strike from more than 20 yards swerved beyond keeper Jonathan Tuffey, who was left with no chance.

The lead was doubled in the 37th minute.

Daniel Gosset won possession brilliantly and played the ball from his own half to Thomas, whose sublime first-time pass split the Crusaders’ defence and released Zack Clarke to slot past the advancing keeper.

Other first half efforts from the hosts saw Tuffey produce saves from Gosset and new signing Ryan Sears.

Crusaders only managed three attempts on goal throughout the game, Caernarfon’s new Irish goalkeeper Stephen McMullan saving late on from Jacob Blaney.

While the Northern Ireland side launched a few dangerous-looking attacks, Town produced some superb defending, much of it the last-gasp variety.

Caernarfon Town

Stephen McMullan, Morgan Owen, Ryan Sears, Philip Mooney, Mathew Jones (Gruff John 11), Paulo Mendes, Daniel Gosset, Matty Hill (Sam Downey 72), Darren Thomas (c – Marc Williams 80)), Louis Lloyd, Zack Clarke (Josef Faux 80).

NK Bravo 0
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 (Maher 83)

New signing and super sub Ben Maher’s 84th minute decider clinched another famous away win for Nomads in Europe.

Past victories on their travels in Stabaek and Kilmarnock had been among the very best results achieved by a Cymru Premier side in Europe and Neil Gibson’s men entered another stunner in the record book by edging this first leg in Slovenia against NK Bravo.

The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Maher pounced with a lethal finish after the ball came back off the post via a Callum Bratley effort.

Strong favourites Bravo threatened often in the opening minutes, but Nomads resisted before going close when Harry Franklin’s delivery to the near post forced keeper Matija Orbanić into smart preventative action.

Matej Poplatnik headed over from a great position for Bravo, but Quay finished the half well, Franklin and Noah Edwards having shots blocked, while Ben Nash’s header went wide.

Midway through the second half new Nomads keeper George Ratcliffe did well to deny Gašper Trdin’s effort from distance.

It was not long before 69th minute sub Maher was the hero in Ljubljana for a Deeside outfit which continues to fly the flag magnificently for Wales in Europe.

And what a special achievement for Nomads boss Gibson, an away winner in Europe again 11 years to the night he led Prestatyn Town to victory in Latvia against Leipajas Metalurgs in the Europa League.

Bala Town 1 (Ukek pen 95)
Paide Linnameeskond 2 (Ceesay 64, Medic 90+2)

Irish left-winger Joshua Ukek handed Bala a lifeline with a 95th minute penalty which gives his side hope of still progressing in the Europa Conference League, despite losing the first leg at home to Paide Linnameeskond of Estonia at Park Hall.

After a goalless first half, Abdoulle Ceesay put the visitors one-up on 64 minutes and it looked grim for the Cymru Premier hosts when Predrag Medic made it two in added time.

However, Ukek’s late spot-kick keeps the Lakesiders in the tie.