Ferencváros 5-0 The New Saints: match report

Match Report

Yellow cards: J. Williams (50)
Substututions: Holden for J. Williams (63), D. Williams for Redmond (63), McManus for Young (76), Bradley for Clark (89), Baker for D. Davies (89)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

Ferencváros showed their European pedigree to inflict a 5-0 defeat on The New Saints in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie.

Malian winger, Adama Traoré bagged a hat trick, while Kristoffer Zachariassen and Marquinhos were also on target at the Ferencváros Stadium for the Hungarian champions.

The result leaves The Saints with plenty of work to do at Park Hall next Tuesday should they wish to progress in this season’s competition.

It was the home side controlling proceedings in the early stages, and it was they who had the first chance of the match in the 11th minute.

An inviting cross from the right was met by Aleksandar Pešić on the edge of the six-yard box, but the Ferencváros man failed to hit the target with his header.

Just four minutes later though, the champions of Hungary did eventually take the lead, as Adama Traoré beat Connor Roberts with a well-placed looping header at the back post.

In the 21st minute, a searching ball over the top of the TNS defence caused problems for the champions of Wales, and Malian winger, Traoré, doubled his side’s advantage with a left-footed strike.

Things got worse for Craig Harrison’s side just three minutes later, when Kristoffer Zachariassen stroked the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box to give The Saints an early mountain to climb.

Danny Davies could’ve pulled a goal back for the away side in the 28th minute, but after diverting Ryan Brobbel’s volley towards the target, he watched the effort fall narrowly wide of the far post.

Davies went close again seven minutes before the break, before Jordan Williams sent a powerful effort out off the crossbar in the first minute of first-half stoppage time.

Trailing by three goals at the interval, The Saints were left with a mountain to climb, and their task got even more difficult nine minutes into the second-half.

From the edge of the six-yard box, Traoré headed past Roberts to complete his hat-trick, meaning his side had one foot in the third qualifying round.

Just after the hour mark, Pascal Jansen’s side took an even firmer grip on the tie, as referee, Guillermo Cuadra, awarded them a penalty.

Marquinhos stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, beating Roberts with a well-placed finish to make the score 5-0 in favour of the Hungarian champions.

A combination of resolute TNS defending and Ferencváros taking their foot off the gas meant chances were more limited in the final third, but there were still opportunities for the goal to be breached.

Less than four minutes after coming off the bench, Declan McManus had a great chance to reduce the deficit for the visitors.

Some great vision from Ryan Brobbel gave the Scottish striker a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his effort went straight into the arms of Dénes Dibusz.

That proved to be that in terms of goalmouth action, meaning 5-0 is how things ended in the Hungarian capital.

The second leg takes place at Park Hall Stadium next Tuesday (July 30th), with kick-off scheduled for 6:30pm.

Tickets are on sale now, and you can purchase yours by visiting: https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=6269