Why Barry Town united’s loss to TNS in the Nathaniel MG Cup final could help them long-term?
Barry Town United were taught a football lesson in the last 15 minutes against The New Saints but could the loss benefit them in the long run?
It’s clear that there were a lot of positives to take from the game. One of them was, they didn’t stop trying. Even at 4-0 down, they were still trying to get on the scoreboard. It was a credit to see, and the Barry fans were appreciating every second of it. Cheering every pass.
There is a lot to look forward to, especially in the long-term at Jenner Park. The club is going in the right direction after years of uncertainty of whether it would even be able to function as a football club. The fans, Chesterfield and the players have been through thick and thin, but most have stayed and they’re finally getting their reward for being patient.
Barry, of course, are a team with a fantastic history and a club with good traditions. The numbers that Barry took to Saturday’s Cup final was something to be admired, and proves how big a club they still are. 700 plus made the trip, and they didn’t stop singing throughout. Even when the score was at 4-0.
Overall the game on Saturday night slightly flattered TNS, but that’s not to say they didn’t teach Barry a football lesson, because in the last 15 minutes they certainly did. Some may say Barry were tired, but TNS were ruthless, scoring four goals in 11 second-half minutes to win the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Those last 15 minutes or so was a learning curve for Barry. It’s still a young side, some of the players are yet to mature and Saturday proved that. They improved on last season’s defeat to TNS in the JD Welsh Cup in the sense that they were more defensively sound. There were occasions in which TNS struggled to break down Barry, and as a result got frustrated.
In the end, though, it was TNS who prevailed as 4-0 winners, thanks to a certain Chris Seargeant who scored a fantastic hat-trick, as well as assisting for Adrian Cieslewicz goal.
All of this being said though, Barry can once again come back stronger next season providing they’re promoted to the Welsh Premier League and put things right, and finally defeat their bitter rivals TNS. They have the foundations in place, it’s about getting the balance right now. If that happens, they could be a threat to any side in the Welsh Premier League let alone the Welsh League division One.
