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Last Updated: 04/07/19 10:36pm
Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Europa League challenge ended on the away goals rule despite a 2-1 victory over Progres Niederkorn in the second leg of their preliminary round tie.
Goals from Jordan Lam and Dylan Rees put the university team in sight of a famous victory at the Cardiff International Sports Campus, but a reply from Mayron de Almeida levelled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
That proved enough for the Luxembourg side, who now go through to face Cork City the first qualifying round.
Cardiff Met had started brightly with Lam’s strike after just two minutes and Rees doubled the lead from the penalty spot on 67 minutes after Mael Davies was fouled.
The visitors claimed their crucial away goal six minutes later when De Almeida struck.
Ballymena United booked a date with Swedish side Malmo as a goalless draw away at NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands saw them progress 2-0 on aggregate.
It was the first time in eight attempts the Northern Irish side had progressed through a round in European competition.
Ballymena had an early scare when Paetur Hentze hit the woodwork and they had to survive some late pressure on a misty evening, but their first-leg success proved the difference.
Cliftonville powered through with a 4-0 defeat of Barry Town United at Solitude.
The tie was evenly poised after last week’s 0-0 draw, but Cliftonville proved too strong for the Welsh side in Belfast.
Goals from Conor McMenamin and Joe Gormley gave the hosts a 2-0 half-time lead, before Conor McDermott and Rory Donnelly put gloss on the victory in the closing stages.
