Three reasons why Barry can overcome TNS in Saturday’s Nathaniel MG Cup final
Barry Town United travel to Cardiff Metropolitan’s Cyncoed Campus on Saturday to face TNS in the Nathaniel MG Cup final.
It’s clear that Barry go into the game as massive underdogs, however that won’t stop the Barry fans believing they can pull off the shocks of all shocks by defeating The New Saints.
700 plus Barry fans will make the trip to Cardiff to roar on their side in hope of lifting a trophy for the first time since they lifted the Welsh League Division two title during the 2014/2015 season.
The odds are stacked against Barry but if James Dixon is on-form and Barry show the same desire they have in the league this season there is no reason why they can’t pull it off.
There are several cases to be made to why Barry can defeat record-breakers TNS. Here are three.
Barry love to press teams
They’ve done it all season, so why should they stop? Chesterfield loves his two full-back to push high up the pitch and pressurise the opposition, and there is little doubt this will change when they face TNS.
In a recent league fixture against Penybont, the Barry full-backs pushed right up and almost acted as wing backs. For the first 20 minutes or so Penybont couldn’t get out of their own half, the pressure was relentless and they were rewarded by winning a free-kick in a dangerous position. The resulting free-kick was sumptuously put away by Louis Gerrard to delight the Barry faithful.
Barry are always entertaining to watch, and if they press TNS they can cause them problems and if they play their cards right it could see them lifting the Nathaniel MG Cup final come Saturday night.
Real threat from dead-ball situations
The New Saints can’t afford to give away any cheap free-kicks or they could be punished. Barry have players who are more than capable of scoring from dead-ball situations, they have the likes of Jordan Cotterill and Louis Gerrard at their disposal.
They’re two players who have scored from free-kicks for Barry this season and will be relishing a chance to test TNS goalkeeper, Paul Harrison.
They also have a real aerial threat from set-pieces in the ‘goalfather’ James Dixon. If there is a ball of real quality, don’t be too surprised if Dixon pops up with the goal to win Barry the final. He’s tall in stature, and The New Saints will have to be wary of the striker’s presence in the box throughout.
Passion, grit and determination
Three words that describe this Barry side perfectly. They will need to show TNS why they belong in the final, and why they can challenge them for the Welsh Premier League in the future. Some of these players have been with the club for a very long time, and have gone through it all with Barry.
They’ve got passion, that’s for sure and will need to show every ounce of it on Saturday when they face record-breakers TNS.
In Barry’s previous outing with TNS they were defeated 5-2, but this is a completely different Barry side from a year ago. They’ve worked incredibly hard to remain competitive in the Welsh League Division One and are on the horizon of the Welsh Premier League.
The side’s passion, grit and determination could go a long way to deciding who lifts the trophy on Saturday evening.
