Thurs 6 July was a disappointing night for the Welsh Premier League sides involved in UEFA Europa League qualification games, after all three of Connah’s Quay Nomads, Bala Town and Bangor City were knocked out.
Connah’s Quay were in the best position to advance in the competition, following their 1-0 home victory over HJK Helsinki. But the Finnish side came back in the second leg, winning 3-0, making the aggregate score 3-1 overall. Bala Town, who won the Welsh Cup for the first time last season, faced a tough challenge away at Swiss side FC Vaduz, who beat them 2-1 in the first leg. Unfortunately, Vaduz proved too strong for the Welsh Premier outfit and came away with a comfortable 3-0 victory. Finally, Bangor were swept aside emphatically by Danish side Lyngby BK, who won 3-0 at Bangor University Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd.
All three sides will now be preparing for the opening fixtures of the 2017/18 Welsh Premier League, which kicks off on Fri 11 Aug. Bala face Newtown, Connah’s Quay visit newly promoted Prestatyn Town, and Bangor play The New Saints, in a repeat of last season’s Welsh Cup final.
Welsh Premier League champions the New Saints faced a difficult match against Croatian league champions Rijeka in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League qualification. TNS reached the second round of qualification after a stunning 4-3 aggregate win over Europa FC of Gibraltar, winning 3-1 away from home after a 2-1 loss in the first leg.
Elsewhere in the league, teams are warming up for the new season by playing pre-season friendlies. Cardiff Metropolitan University both played Cardiff City and Newport County in July, and new boys on the block Barry Town also face Newport, who pulled off a famous great escape from relegation in League 2 last season. Cefn Druids play teams from Denbigh and Porthmadog, Llandudno play Tranmere, Aberystwyth play Hull Under-23s, while Camarthen visit Goytre United.
The Welsh Premier League starts Fri 11 Aug. Info: www.welshpremier.co.uk
words THOMAS HADFIELD