WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF

These early season's weeks present us with a number of games in European competitions designed to get rid of "smaller teams" who have qualified to play in Europe thourgh their home cups and leagues.

Tonight The New Saints (TNS) from the Welsh League play a second leg tie against Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League, having denied the Cypriots an away goal last week. The Welsh Premier Champions have already knocked out San Marino's Tre Penne, 5-1 on aggregate, in the first qualifying round. The Cypriots managed to reach the Champions League quarter-finals in 2012, so they have some pedigree.

If the Welsh boys get a win or a score draw they will go through to meet either Norwegians Rosenborg or Sweden'S IFK Norrkoping.

The Crusaders have to reverse a 0-3 defeat from the first leg against Kobenhavn.
Of course we are all waiting for the return fixture at Celtic Park, when Gibraltar Lincoln Red Imps visit tomorrow. Celtic lost 0-1 away much to Brendan's embarrassment. More about that later.

Elsewhere in Wales, Gap Connah's Quay, in the Europa League, lost by the only goal scored in the 86th minute scored by Serbians FK Vojvodina. The Serbs had 87% possession! Backs to the quay side chaps.

The "Nomads" host the Serbs on Thursday and manager Andy Morrison says that with the "long" flight, a tighter pitch and Welsh passion he reckons his boys have a chance at Rhyl's Belle Vue ground.

The Europa League First Qualifying rounds of two legs produced the following results for British and Eire teams:
St Patricks beat Jeunesse Esch (Lux) 2-2 on away goals;
Llandudno TFC 1-8 Goteborg Swe; AIK Sweden 4-0 Bala Town; Hearts 6 Tallinn of Estonia 1; Linfield 1 Cork City 2; Aberdeen 3 Fola Lux 2; Differdange Lux 1 v 3 Cliftonville; Shamrock Rovers 1 v 3 RoPS Greece; Iceland's KR 8 Glentoran 1 !!!!; Connahs Quay 1-0 Stabaek Norway.

Second Qualifying Rounds first legs for British and Eire sides stand so far:
Dinamo Minsk 1 v 1 St Patricks; Haken (Gothenburg) 1-1 Cork City; Vijvodina 1-0 Connah's Quay; Birkirkara 0 v 0 Hearts; Hibernian 0 v 1 Bronby Denmark; Cliftonville 2-3 AEK Larnaca Cyprus; Aberdeen 3 v 0 Ventspils Latvia.