WHILE the idea of travelling across Europe to play football might seem fanciful at the moment, Newtown fans can take comfort in recent memories.

Just five years ago Newtown won the Welsh Premier League’s European play-offs, to take a place in the 2015/16 Europa League.

In the 1st Qualifying Round, Chris Hughes’ side were paired with Valletta of Malta, and a thrilling journey began with the home leg at Latham Park.

Luke Boundford put the Robins into the lead before a second-half equaliser for Valletta through Benites da Conceicao.

When the visitors had Ian Azzopardi sent off for a second booking with five minutes to go, Newtown’s dominance paid off, Jason Oswell netting an injury-time winner.

In Malta for the second-leg, Oswell struck again early on, with Thierry Fidjeu-Tazemeta reducing arrears for the hosts in the second-half.

But in a dramatic second-half Valletta were reduced to 10 men after Ryan Camilleri’s foul on Shane Sutton, before Juan Gill fouled Oswell in the area with five minutes to go.

Matty Owen saw his penalty saved but tucked home the rebound to make the score 4-2 on aggregate.

But there was even more drama to come, and with two minutes to go the Robins also went down to 10 men, as sub Matty Cook picked up a second booking.

An historic win in Malta set-up a mouth-watering clash with giants FC Copenhagen of Denmark in the next round.

Travelling to the 36,000 capacity Parken Stadium, the Robins valiantly fell to a 2-0 defeat, an early goal from Ben Verbic followed by one from Kasper Kusk.

Welcoming the Danish side to a packed Latham Park for the second-leg, Newtown went behind to two goals from Marvin Pourie, and a Nicolei Jorgensen penalty.

But with 20 minutes to go the Robins fans went wild as Tom Goodwin tapped home, giving the fans a goal to cheer as they went down 5-1 on aggregate, bringing the adventure to an end.