Stjarnan 0
Shamrock Rovers 1
SHAMROCK ROVERS WILL have the upper hand when they host Stjarnan in the second league of their Europa League first round qualifier next Thursday at Tallaght Stadium.
Gary Shaw netted the only goal of this evening’s first leg in Iceland, scoring from a Brandon Miele corner seven minutes before the interval.
The win was the Hoops’ first away from home in Europe since their famous 2-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade in 2011, which sent them into the Europa League’s group stages.
Rovers had to weather an early storm in Reykjavik, with Baldur Sigurdsson and Johann Laxdal both going close for the hosts.
Stephen Bradley’s side eventually settled, however. Shaw threatened with a header, before Ronan Finn and Simon Madden tested goalkeeper Haraldur Bjornsson.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute. After a scramble in the box when Miele sent in a corner, Shaw managed to poke the ball home to give Rovers the lead.
Stjarnan eventually had the better of the second half as they went in search of an equaliser.
Holmbert Fridjonsson and Josef Josefsson both asked questions of Tomer Chencnski, but the Hoops goalkeeper stood firm to seal a big win for his side.
Stjarnan: Bjornsson, J Laxdal (Aegisson, 87), D Laxdal, Gudjonsson, Josefsson, Hauksson, Sigurdsson, Hedinsson, Fridjonsson (Finsen, 81), Baldvinsson, Halldorsson.
Shamrock Rovers: Chencinski, Madden, Lopes, Webster, Byrne, Miele, Finn, Connolly (Bone, 74), Clarke, Burke (McAllister, 81), Shaw (O’Connor, 87).
Referee: T Musial (Poland).
