The New Saints 1
Jones 52
Anderlecht 3
Kljestan 7
Legear 18
Suarez 73
Half Time (0 – 2)
THE New Saints produced a mature European performance on the greatest night in the club’s history as they took on Belgian Champions, Anderlecht, at Wrexham’s Racecourse ground.
The Saints overcame early goals from Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Legear to stun the opposition early in the second half through man of the match, Craig Jones, before Mathias Suarez added a third for the visitors.
But TNS have plenty to play for in the second leg after restricting the much fancied Belgians to a two goal advantage, with the Welsh double winners proving they can mix it with some of Europe’s finest.
Home Team: (4-4-2) Harrison, D Holmes, Marriott (T Holmes 26), Baker, Evans, Ruscoe, Hogan, Sharp (Darlington 83), Williams, Jones, Berkeley (Seargeant 74).
Subs not used: Williams, McKenna, Wood, Edwards.
Away Team: (4-4-3) Proto, Mazuch (Lecjaks 83), Deschacht, Biglia, Suarez (De Sutter 77), Boussoufa, Legear, Kouyate, Klijestan (Kanu 87), Juhasz, Gillet.
Subs not used: Schollen, Chatelle, Marecek, Rnic.
Referee: Mr Darko Ceferin (SVN)
Attendance: 2486
MOM: Craig Jones (TNS)