Europa Conference League Report: Dundalk 4 - 0 Newtown

Ciaran Fisher reports from Oriel Park

Dundalk equalled their biggest ever European win and put one foot in the next round of the UEFA Europa Conference League thanks to goals from David McMillian, Micheal Duffy, Will Patching and Jeongwoo Han to run out comfortable 4-0 winners at Oriel Park.

It was a record-breaking night too; David McMillian became the top scoring League of Ireland player in Europe, with his 12^th conversion in all euro-competitions.

With players ruled out of both sides ahead of this clash, there was a danger that, yet again, off-field events might steal a disproportionate amount of the spotlight at Oriel Park. But this was an entertaining affair with lots of good passages of play. From a Dundalk perspective, it’s a welcome shot in the arm.

Dundalk went into the half time break two goals to the good thanks to goals from Micheal Duffy and David McMillian. But Newtown will be ruing not drawing first blood, when they were gifted a chance on 6 minutes; a long throw was flicked on and found James Davies, unmarked six yards out – he headed straight at Alessio Abibi in what was the let-off of the game.

The home side dominated the possession without creating a glut of chances early on. But they got their breakthrough just after the half hour mark. Daniel Kelly raced though on the right and might have cut in but spied the late run of Duffy to the back post, his cross found the Dundalk winger who had a simple conversion to give the Irish side the lead.

The lucky fans in attendance, didn’t have long to wait for a second. Minutes later Darragh Leahy collected from Duffy and whipped a superb dipping cross into the box that was headed home by David McMillian – his 12^th goal in European competitions, making him the all-time highest scoring League of Ireland player in Europe.

Both teams went at it in the second half. Newtown started on the front foot and early gusto from the visitors orchestrated a good chance when Sonni Naattestad coughed up possession and forced Abibi to make a good double save.Aaron Williams almost converted the subsequent corner.

But just like in the first half, Dundalk steadied and would hit the Reds for two. The first was a sublime strike from Will Patching some 30 yards out, it rocketed into the bottom left corner hardly giving ‘keeper time to turn his head let alone dive for it.

Korean, Jeongwoo Han, scored with the last touch of the game when he headed home from Leahy’s assist to quite possibly put the two-legged tie beyond doubt.

It’s worth noting that the Railwaymen had the ball in the Newtown net on two more occasions only to be foiled by the offside flag. Dundalk looked comfortable for the most part.

Fans can be forgiven for thinking ahead to the next round, where the winners of this tie face the victors of Levadia of Estonia versus St Joseph’s of Gibraltar.

Dundalk: Alessio Abibi; Sonni Nattestad, Darragh Leahy, Raivis Jurkovskis, Andy Boyle (c); Sam Stanton, Greg Sloggett, Will Patching (Wilfried Zahibo 80), Patrick McEleney, Daniel Kelly (Han Jeongwoo 75), Michael Duffy; David McMillan (Ole Erik Midtskogen 80).

Subs not used: Ryan O'Kane, Mark Hanratty, Peter Cherrie, Val Adedokun.

Newtown: David Jones; Callum James Roberts, Kieran Mills Evans, Jordan Evans, Craig Williams (c); Alexander Fletcher, James Davies (Alfie Jones 88), James Rowland; Jamie Breese (Rhys Hesden 88), Nicolas Rushton (Dylan Downs 88), Aaron Williams.

Subs not used: Sean McAllister, David Terence Rose, Ben Speake, Kham Steventon.

Referee: Barbeno Luca (San Marino).

Attendance: 200.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Will Patching (Dundalk).