Ballkani just too strong for Larne in Pristina
Ballkani 3 Larne 0
Larne's Andy Ryan in Kosovo
Leroy Millar in action for Larne
Larne skipper Tomas Cosgrove
Larne Lee Bonis attempt to win the ball
Larne’s European campaign looks to be on thin ice after a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their clash against Kosovo champions Ballkani.
It was a difficult night for the Invermen at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, leaving their Europa Conference League hopes dangling by a thread.
Two goals in seven first-half minutes had Larne on the ropes and a third after the break leaves Tiernan Lynch’s side needing to produce a miracle recovery at Solitude next week.
The winners will face Gibraltar's Lincoln Red Imps, but Larne, who suffered an agonising 3-2 aggregate defeat by HJK Helsinki after extra-time in the Champions League first qualifying round, will be reflecting on a frustrating night in Kosovo.
Ballkani won their Champions League qualifying home leg 2-0 at home against Bulgarians Ludogorets before crumbling to a 4-0 defeat in the away leg and the NIFL Premiership winners are clinging to the hope of a fresh bout of travel sickness affecting their opponents.
In a ground where Northern Ireland lost 3-2 to Kosovo in a Nations League tie just over a year ago, Larne were blown away by some devastating attacks and the damage could have been more severe if it wasn’t for the alertness and agility of keeper Rohan Ferguson.
All is not lost but in the humid conditions, it feels like Larne’s European hopes are melting away.
Lynch drafted in Craig Farquhar for the injured Cian Bolger and used his strikeforce of Lee Bonis and Andrew Ryan again but the visitors were pushed back in a tough opening half.
The Invermen came under some early pressure in the Kosovan capital but some smart
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