Swedish test for Craig’s Saints

By Rob Cole

WAIT AND SEE: The New Saints are sweating on the fitness of Rory Holden

WELSH ROUND-UP

CRAIG Harrison admits The New Saints will have to achieve something special “the hard way” as his side bid to topple Swedish champions Hacken in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.

His troops are firm underdogs in their two-legged contest against the Wasps, despite being seeded. But Harrison – taking charge of the Saints in Europe for the first time in his second spell at the club – says his side are firmly up for the challenge.

“We got ourselves in a great position to be seeded and got drawn against the Swedish champions who, coincidentally, for the first time are unseeded,” he said.

“It’s going to be an incredibly tough game, but sometimes if you do something special, you’ve got to do it the hard way.”

The reigning JD Cymru Premier champions hope to unleash new signing Rory Holden, 25, in Wednesday night’s first leg at the Bravida Arena. Despite concerns over a hamstring issue sustained by the former Port Vale attacker, Harrison is confident Holden will be available to face Hacken.

“We’ve just got to make sure we look after him, but he’s a fantastic addition and we’re looking at trying to bring two or three more of that quality to add to the fantastic quality we’ve already got,” added Harrison.

Meanwhile, Penybont boss Rhys Griffiths hopes his side’s Europa Conference League tie with Andorra’s Santa Coloma will have a lasting legacy in Bridgend.

The Bont will play Thursday night’s first leg at the town’s Brewery Field stadium, with Griffiths urging fans to support the club beyond their European campaign.

“It’s about doing our absolute best and giving a good account of ourselves to make the town proud,” said Griffiths. “We want the town to come out and support us, and then continue to support us. It’ll be massive for the sustainability of the club.”

Elsewhere, Tony Pennock is confident a spate of injuries won’t derail Haverfordwest County’s chances of overcoming Shkendija of North Macedonia. Kyle Patten, Elliot Scotcher and captain Dylan Rees are all absent for the Bluebirds, but new signing Luke Tabone is eligible to feature.

“I’m happy with the group I’ve got, touch wood we have no more injuries,” he said. “We’re not going there to make up the numbers, we’re trying to get through, like the other Welsh clubs.”

Connah’s Quay are the remaining Welsh club in European action, with the Nomads facing Icelandic outfit Knattspyrnufélag Akureyrar.