Shamrock Rovers beat New Saints and edge closer to Conference League knockouts

James Cox

Shamrock Rovers secured back-to-back wins in the Europa Conference League this evening.

Goals from Johnny Kenny and Dylan Watts helped the Hoops to a 2-1 win over Welsh side The New Saints at Tallaght Stadium.

Rovers came into tonight's game off the back of coming up just short in their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title defence.

Speaking to Off The Ball after the game, Rovers manager Stephen Bradley said: "It's a great start. If you had said to us after three games that we'd be sitting here with seven points, we'd be happy... and we're happy.

"The players responded brilliantly tonight after Friday's disappointment, and I thought our overall performance deserved the win."

Sitting on seven points, Rovers are in a good position to qualify for the knockout stages of the Conference League.

TNS – who became the first Welsh Premier side to take points at the group stage of a major European competition by beating Kazakhstan outfit Astana 2-0 in Shrewsbury last time out – went ahead against the run of play in the 15th minute.

Ryan Brobbel picked the ball up wide on the right before sending a cross through the penalty area, and veteran winger Williams drilled past goalkeeper Leon Pohls from close range.

Rovers, who beat Larne 4-1 in Belfast in their last Conference League fixture, were soon back on level terms in the 23rd minute.

Neil Farrugia flicked Watts’ pass on into the penalty area, where Kenny barged past TNS defender Danny Davies to fire the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.

The Dublin side then completed the turnaround seven minutes before half-time.

Following a spell of sustained pressure, the ball was worked down the right and back out to Darragh Burns, who floated a cross over to the far post where Watts converted from close range for a fifth goal in his last seven games.

TNS continued to soak up plenty of pressure in the second half – with Watts weaving into the penalty area, then scooping his shot over the crossbar – before finally managing a spell of possession themselves just after the hour mark as Leo Smith drilled a long-range effort wide.

Rovers, though, saw through the closing stages to pick up another European win, which keeps themselves firmly in contention for the knockout stages. - Additional reporting from Press Association