UEFA Conference, first qualifying round, first leg
Dundalk 4 Newtown 0
NEWTOWN were left with only pride to salvage in next week's second leg in Oswestry after finding themselves outclassed in Dublin tonight.
The mid Wales side travelled shorn of Lufimpa Mwandwe, Shane Sutton and George Hughes and their depleted squad endured a night under the cosh at the hands of Dundalk.
Both sides had early chances with James Davies' sixth minute header saved by goalkeeper Alessio Abibi while at the other end Patrick McEleney dipped a shot wide from the edge of the area two minutes later.
Newtown goalkeeper Dave Jones was called upon soon after with a smart save to deny David McMillan who met Daniel Kelly's cross with his head.
Newtown's Aaron Williams battles for the ball with Dundalk's Samuel Stanton and Daniel Kelly during the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round, first leg match at Oriel Park, Dundalk. Picture by Donnel Farmer/PA.
The Robins kept the home side at bay with McMillan ballooning over the bar from distance on 23 minutes.
Three minutes later and the Robins survived a scare when Kelly latched onto a throughball from McEleney to slot past Jones only to be ruled offside.
The reprieve was brief and Dundalk led on 29 minutes with Kelly breaking down the right wing and delivering a cross for Michael Duffy to steer home on the far post.
Dundalk open the scoring against Newtown through Michael Duffy. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.
Dundalk doubled their lead 10 minutes later with a wonderful left wing cross from Duffy met by McMillan who rose to head home at the far post.
McMillan hooked over the bar in the final action of the half to leave Newtown with an uphill struggle after the break.
Jamie Breese in action for Newtown against Dundalk. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.
The Robins began the second-half brightly with Jamie Breese and Nick Rushton forcing Abibi into a double save in the opening moments.
However it was all over on the hour with Will Patching drilling beyond Jones from long range to all but settle the contest.
Patching tried his luck from a similar range 10 minutes later as Dundalk continued to dominate.
James Davies in action for Newtown against Dundalk. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.
A rare opening for Town a minute later saw Jordan Evans cut inside from the left with his 16 yard effort parried away by Abibi.
Fletcher's speculative effort dipped wide before McEleney forced Jones into action at the other.
The match was deep into stoppage time when Dundalk snatched a fourth to complete their biggest ever European win as Duffy broke and released McEleney on the left to cross for Jeongwoo Han to head home on the far post.
Dundalk's David McMillan (hidden) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game with team-mates during the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round, first leg match at Oriel Park, Dundalk. Picture by Donnel Farmer/PA.
Dundalk
Abibi, Boyle, Nattestad, Duffy, Stanton, McEleney, Jurkovsik, Leahy, Patching (Zahibo 81), Kelly (Han 75), McMillan (Midstkogen 81). Subs: Sloggett, Cherrie, Adedokun, O'Kane, Brady, Hanratty.
Newtown
Jones, Roberts, Mills-Evans, Rushton (Downs 89), Breese (A Jones 89), Evans, Davies (Hesden 89), A Williams, Rowland (McAllister 68), C Williams, Fletcher. Subs: Steventon, Rose, Jones.
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