Saints draw against Bulgarian's but left to reflect on What If?
The New Saints gained a well-deserved 2-2 draw with 10-men at the Racecourse against CSKA Sofia in their Europa League Play-Off match and will reflect on a missed opportunity, where a ten-minute spell in Sofia ended their hopes of progression to the Group stages.
There is no shame in the Welsh Champions' elimination at this stage as they were the lowest ranked team left in the competition and Aston Villa, Celtic, Dundee Utd and Motherwell also fell at the same hurdle on a poor night for British football.
However, manager Mike Davies and his team have no doubt thought What If? after his team conceded three goals in the last nine minutes in the first leg to effectively end the tie before kick-off on Thursday.
Leading 3-0 from the first leg, Giuseppe Aquaro put the Bulgarians further ahead in the 11th minute with a strike from a poorly defended corner which skimmed across the Saints boss. This meant the Saints then needed an unlikely five to progress.
But they looked comfortable with ball at feet and created chances before Matty Williams equalised, following good approach play from Chris Seargeant and Craig Jones. Then, after the break a strong header from Steve Evans put the home side in front on the night and the scoreline would have been fair to the Welsh Champions.
That task was made even more difficult when Williams was sent off for a second yellow card and Christian Tiboni's late screamer ensured that it was honours even on the night and CSKA booked their place in the Group stage.
The New Saints FC: Harrison, Danny Holmes, Baker, Evans, Tommy Holmes, Ruscoe, Hogan, Sharp (Berkeley 86), Matty Williams, Seargeant, Craig Jones (Wood 83).
Subs Not Used: Simon Williams, Craig Williams, Rawlinson, McKenna, Darlington.
Sent Off: Matty Williams (67).
Booked: Baker, Matty Williams.
Goals: Matty Williams 14, Evans 62.
CSKA Sofia: Karadzhov, Vidanov, Yanchev, Aquaro, Trifonov, Iliev (Marquinhos 59), Tiboni, Yanev, Tonev (Delev 78), Sheridan, Nelson (Kostadinov 86).
Subs Not Used: Chavdarov, Saidhodzha, Vasilev.
Booked: Karadzhov.
Goals: Aquaro 11, Tiboni 80.
Ref: Tony Asumaa (Finland)
