ANDY MORRISON needs an even greater miracle than a week ago. Yet the former Manchester City captain, who now manages the Welsh Premier League runners-up, will know his team have the tiniest of chances to reach the third qualifying round of the Europa League. But they must travel to the Serbian capital of Belgrade and […]
ANDY MORRISON needs an even greater miracle than a week ago.
Yet the former Manchester City captain, who now manages the Welsh Premier League runners-up, will know his team have the tiniest of chances to reach the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
But they must travel to the Serbian capital of Belgrade and the 32,000-capacity Partizan stadium and deliver a monumental result.
Despite being second best for most of the match, Nomads only lost out to a 62nd minute goal from midfielder Aleksandar Skekic.
Morrison’s men were making a surprise appearance at this stage after beating Kilmarnock 2-0 away in the first qualifying round second leg seven days ago having lost the home leg 2-1.
And the way Nomads finished the game, they should not be completely ruled out.
Connah’s Quay is a Welsh town just eight miles over the border from Chester but the match was being played along the coast in Rhyl as the club’s stadium does not meet Uefa regulations.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon, on a scouting mission, was among those in the crowd.
As you would expect, Partizan, who have won 27 domestic titles and lost to Real Madrid in the 1966 European Cup final and have former Aston Villa striker Savo Milosevic as their manager, were in complete command for much of the game apart from the end when they appeared to tire.
Despite having lots of the ball, managed only one clear-cut chance in the first half but keeper Lewis Brass, previously of Gateshead, made a decent save from visiting defender Starhinja Pavlovic.
The match exploded into life just before half-time and Nomads should have had a penalty with Partizan keeper Vladimir Stojkovic getting sent off.
Stojkovic lashed out into the face of skipper George Horan, an electrical engineer, but inexplicably, Slovakian referee Michal Ocenas booked both players rather than have the guts to make the obvious decision
Partizan continued to dominate and it was no great surprise when Skekic broke the Nomads’ brave resistance with a powerful low shot.
Nomads caused a few more problems up front when sub Michael Bakare came on and finished the match the stronger – so they have some hope.
