Barry captain Lauren Harris looking for structure after tough season
For a team as young as Barry Town United, they have faced a lot of change in what has been an up and down season.
Four managers have taken the helm down at Jenner Park this season, and it’s been a challenge for everyone involved at the club, according to captain Lauren Harris.
“We’ve had a lot of manager changes, and just inconsistencies through the season. From a player perspective, it’s certainly been an interesting season.
“We lost a lot of games on the trot; I lost track of how many we lost. There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but it’s been good, it has been fun, but it’s been challenging.”
The Linnets went on a wretched run of form in the league, as they went on a 12-game winless run, a run that would test the mental resolve of any player.
“Each game we were trying different team talks, trying different ways to motivate each other, it was really hard.
“On the pitch, it was obvious we weren’t getting along, we weren’t happy, no team likes losing.
“It was tough, but we just had to keep coming together, which isn’t easy when you’re losing because you’re thinking, what are we playing for?”
However, for the final two games of the season, Barry looked like a different team, as Dafydd Williams took interim charge.
Williams, who is assistant manager to Lee Kendall, guided his team to a credible draw against Pontypridd, before thumping Abergavenny on the final day.
“It was structure, we had gone without structure for so long. Daf came in to manage us, and he did exactly the same as Lee Kendall did at the start of the season.
“We had this belief in us that we can do it, and that we can go out there and perform to the best of our abilities.
“We always wanted to win games, but we could never deliver the desire to win, but we all had belief in each other again.”
When pushed on whether Williams would be the next permanent manager, Harris gave a hopeful response.
“We’re still waiting to find out. Obviously, he’s had a great season with the men’s team, whether he stays with us now, I don’t know.
“I’d love him to stay, and I know the rest of the girls would too. We just have to wait and see, because going forward, it has to be the right decision for everyone.”
Heading into next season, Barry will be coming up against Wrexham after their promotion to the Adran Premier, and Harris knows they will need results against the Red Dragons.
“Wrexham have got a lot of quick players, there’s money coming into them and I’m sure they will recruit well off the back of it.
“They are a stronger team than Abergavenny, but anything can happen in this league.
“I think Wrexham will do well next season and they are a team we have to get points against, and if we don’t, we’ll probably struggle.”
Looking at her own squad this season, Harris was keen to praise two players for their performances and attitude.
“One would be Taite Trivett. She’s worked her socks off down that wing and is always looking to attack and go forward.
“She’s scored some fantastic goals, but she also plays well as an individual and as part of the team. She always looks to put the ball into the box, and she always has a good attitude.
“Erin Brennan has been brilliant too. She’s led well from the back, especially for players like me who’ve played in a new position this season, it’s been great to have her behind me.
“With her I can see the bigger picture and see so much more around me. She’s been positive and trying to keep everyone together, and as a whole rounded player, she’s affected the team the most.”
Barry’s U16s team won the FAW Girls Cup against Abergavenny last month, and Harris is looking forward to seeing some of Barry’s young prospects break into the first team.
“There are some quality players in that team, to the point where we were questioning, why have they not had a call-up for the first team yet?
“Whether next season is their season, time will tell, but we have a lot of players going to university, so a lot depends on that.”
Barry did end the season strongly and heading into the break and beyond to next season, there is one word on the captain’s lips: belief.
“The main thing is we have to believe in each other. We’ve got to realise it’s not all about desire.
“Everyone wants to win games, but the belief in doing it is so important, and when we do that, that’s when we seem to thrive.”
