Three Late Goals Shatter Saints

CSKA Sofia 3-0 The New Saints

The New Saints were sunk by three late goals, all in the last nine minutes, in the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia in their UEFA Europa League Play-Off, which leaves their Group Stage chances in shatters.

After Saints' forward Matthew Williams had an early shot blocked, the hosts' Dimitar Iliev had the first shot on target when he tested Paul Harrison after eight minutes. Spas Delev and Alexandar Tonev also had chances in the opening period, but Harrison kept them both out and it was goal-less at half-time.

After the break, Matthew Williams had an effort on goal with 5 minutes played, but Karadzhov saved for Sofia. Just a minute later at the other end it was Harrison who was called into action, as he denied Marquinhos. Sofia coach Sashko Hristov then made all three permitted changes in serach of the breakthrough, including former Celtic and Plymouth striker Cillian Sheridan who was making his debut.

Then, after Saints boss Mike Davies made two changes himself, it was the changes made by the hosts that paid off with a double salvo in two minutes. Italian defender Giuseppe Aquaro scored the opener on 81 minutes before Dutch sub Gregory Nelson made it 2-0 just a minute later.

It became Mission Improbable for next week's second leg in the 90th minute, when Spas Delev - who was at the centre of an eligibility row this week - ironically scored in stoppage time to round off the evening for the Bulgarians.

Team Check

CSKA Sofia: van Karadzhov (GK), Pavel Vidanov, Todor Yanchev (C), Giuseppe Aquaro, Spas Delev, Rumen Trifonov, Dormushali Saidhodzha (Gregory Nelson, 64'), Dimitar Iliev (Cillian Sheridan, 54'), Boris Galchev, Alexandar Tonev (Tomi Kostadinov, 71'), Marquinhos

Subs Not Used: 1 Zdravko Chavdarov (GK), 15 Martin Vasilev, 16 Christian Tiboni, 21 Kosta Yanev,

Coach: Sashko Hristov (BUL)

The New Saints: Paul Harrison (GK), Danny Holmes, Phillip Baker, Steve Evans (C), Tommy Holmes, Scott Ruscoe, Barry Hogan, Chris Sharp (Matthew Berkeley, 76'), Matthew Williams (Alex Darlington, 87'), Christian Seargeant, Craig Jones (Jamie Wood, 78')

Subs Not Used: 33 Simon Williams (GK), 11 Craig Williams, 16 Connell Rawlinson, 17 John McKenna

Coach: Michael Davies (WAL)