Underestimate us at your peril is the warning from Andy Morrison to Europa League opponents Stabaek ahead of tonight’s first qualifying round decider.
Morrison’s Gap Connah’s Quay side flew out to Norway on Wednesday morning clear in the knowledge that a win or score draw would see them through to the next round after a goalless draw at Rhyl’s Belle Vue Stadium a week ago.
It could, and perhaps should, have been even better had Michael Wilde’s header not been ruled out for a tight offside call while substitute keeper Sayouba Mandé denied Wilde with a smart save in the second half.
Stabaek lost 1-0 at home to Sogndal on Sunday afternoon to leave Billy McKinlay’s team second bottom in the Tippeligaen with 10 defeats from 14 games.
And while Morrison knows few will give his side much chance of progressing, he insists a shock is within reach.
Morrison said: “We head to Norway with everything to play for. The 0-0 draw at home has given us a great opportunity to progress.
“When the draw was first made, nobody gave us a chance and many said it would be a case of damage limitations, but we never thought like that.
“Yes, we know the odds are stacked massively against us and no-one expects us to get a result, but time and time again, when we have needed a massive result and performance, my players have produced just that.
“We are not heading over to Norway just to enjoy the occasion and have everyone say ‘what a lovely little club The Nomads are – didn’t they do well to get this far.’
“No, we are going to go all out for the win – we are going to rattle a few cages and if they are going to beat us, Stabaek will have to be at the top of their game.”
Nomads trained on Monday night and have taken an 18-man squad to Fredrikstad, where the game will take place in the 12,560-seater Fredrikstad Stadion, kick-off 6pm.
The winners will go through to face either FK Vojvodina of Serbia or Montenegrin side FK Bokelj, who drew 1-1 in the first leg in Montenegro, in the second qualifying round.
