The New Saints 0-2 Panathinaikos: match report

Come the final whistle though, it was the Greeks who were celebrating the win and the three-points on MD5.

Fourteen minutes in and neither goalkeeper had been seriously tested, with the most noteworthy occasion being an enforced substitution for the hosts, as Josh Daniels replaced the injured Ash Baker. 

However, just a minute on from there and the deadlock was broken. Although Connor Roberts saved the first attempt, Filip Đuričić swas on hand to rifle the ball home from inside the penalty area. 

Although trailing, almost immediately Jordan Williams and Ben Clark battled away outside the opposition box, with the latter off-target, as he went for goal. 

The New Saints continued to look for the leveller, and a brief spell of pressure ended with Josh Daniels’ header being saved comfortably by Bartłomiej Drągowski.

Five minutes before the break, Willian Arão’s header from a free-kick on the right, was just over Roberts’ crossbar. 

The ‘keeper was then called into action when he denied Sverrir Ingason, who struck for goal following a corner from the left. 

As Panathinaikos looked to double their advantage before the break, Roberts was again called into action, this time clutching a powerful shot from Tasos Bakasetas, for which the ‘keeper required brief treatment. 

Half-time: The New Saints 0 Panathinaikos 1

Looking to continue where they left off in terms of possession, the visitors dominated the opening exchanges of the second period. 

In the 57^th minute and through on goal, Giorgos Vagiannidis was denied by brilliant defending from ex-Shrewsbury Town player, Josh Daniels, who cleared the ball to prevent an almost certain goal. 

Five minutes on from there though and the Super League Greece side were 2-0 up, as Fotis Ioannidis converted from the penalty spot, following a foul inside the penalty area. 

Still looking to grab a lifeline, it was Clark who went for glory in the 66^th minute, but his strike was straight at Drągowski who saved comfortably. 

Roberts was then called in action again, as he remained alert to dive at the feet of Ioannidis, with the visitors looking to put the game beyond the champions of Wales.

Approaching the final fifteen minutes, Rory Holden ran out of steam, surrounding by Panathinaikos players inside the opposition penalty area. 

The busier of the two ‘keepers, Roberts again prevented a third goal, as Daniel Mancini unleashed a powerful strike, with the match heading towards the final ten minutes. 

Continuing to press, The New Saints were awarded a free-kick just outside the box, when Danny Davies was pulled down. Although he beat the wall, Declan McManus couldn’t get past Drągowski, who clutched the ball from beneath the crossbar. 

With four added minutes at the end of the match, the high-energy encounter continued right to the end with both teams going close, but with no more goals, the visitors were the happier come the final whistle.

Full-time: The New Saints 0 Panathinaikos 2