“It’s not nice to lose,” – Gavin Chesterfield on European Play-Offs

Three years ago, Barry Town United crashed out the Cymru Premier European Play-Offs in a 4-1 loss to Cardiff Metropolitan.

After two years of automatic European qualification, Barry head into the play-offs looking to make it three straight years of European football.

The Linnets host Caernarfon Town at Jenner Park, a side that they have recorded three wins and a loss against this season.

Recalling the play-off loss to Cardiff Metropolitan, manager Gavin Chesterfield expressed the disappointment and difficulty of falling at the play-off hurdle.

“It’s not nice to lose,” he said. “The better team won on the day. It’s strange we went into that game in great form, and then fell woefully short, and we learned from the experience in the years since.

“It’s not a nice thing to lose, but ultimately in sport, particularly play-offs, there has to be a winner and a loser.”

After a busy schedule toward the end of the regular Cymru Premier season, Chesterfield acknowledged the value of a full week’s preparation.

“It’s great to have that rhythm back and a full week to lead into the game.

“The boys are in good spirits, in good health really, a couple of niggles and obviously things like every club has got at this time of the season.

“It’s given us a great insight into what it’s like to have that intensity of games. 

“It’s very difficult to work on things, we’re a club that believes in coaching, we’re a club that believes in working with players. That’s been quite difficult for the last god knows how long.

“I’m not complaining. it’s been the same for everyone. 

“It’s been nice to get a rhythm back and get a flow back and work on a few things.”

The sides faced each other last week in the final day of the regular Cymru Premier season.

In the play-off dress rehearsal, Barry Town claimed a 3-2 victory, with Jordan Cotterill, David Cotterill and Rhys Kavanagh on the scoresheet.

However, the Linnets boss expressed that he doesn’t believe recently playing the Cofis will have any bearing on the play-off semi-final.

“It’s always quite difficult to play a double header but obviously I’d rather win the game then lose the game. 

“The truth is we play each other quite a lot during the season. We know the majority of things about each other. Huw will probably say the same thing.   

“I just feel on Saturday we showed a good intensity to us, a good character to us, a good sort of ethic if you like. That’s the pleasing thing for me as there wasn’t too much riding on the game itself.   

“This Saturday, obviously is a hell of a lot different. It’s great to be home, our record here is very good, we’re very proud of that but we know were up against a good team.”

Of the four meetings between the sides this season Barry have won three, with one win for Caernarfon.   

Despite calls for the Cymru Premier Play-offs to be used as test events as Wales comes out of lockdown, the game will be behind closed doors.

Chesterfield expressed his disappointment at not being able to welcome supporters back to Jenner Park.

“Firstly, I think that’s ridiculous but that’s beyond my control, beyond my pay grade, and obviously I’m disappointed for supporters because they’ve had a tough year.

“It would have been a lovely way to trail an event and have a respective crowd size leading into hopefully a positive outcome for next season.

“It’s not to be but the good thing is it’s on TV. I know that we’ll have a few people tuning in and shouting in their living rooms, and the bars, and that’s much appreciated.”

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)