By Dylan MacIsaac
Barry kick off their playoff adventure with a trip to The Oval to face Caernarfon Town on Saturday. Spirits will be high on the four-hour drive up North with Barry in superior form to their opponents having won five of their last six games. Caernarfon are coming off a 2-1 win at home to Cardiff Met, but that marked just their second win in 6. The teams last three meetings are inseparable with a win apiece and a draw, but The Towns fine away form with just one loss in six should stand them in good stead this weekend.
Last time out at Jenner Park the crowd were treated to an emphatic 5-0 win over Briton Ferry Llansawel. The playoff spot was already locked up, but it was still a valuable win to build momentum in their push for Europe. Captain Kayne McLaggon picked up a goal and an assist in his final home game, and securing European qualification for the third time with his long-term club would make his legacy even more special.
A key talking point from the Briton Ferry game was the array of brilliant performances all over the pitch. The five goals came from three different scorers: McLaggon, Ollie Hulbert and Callum Sainty. Two goals from centre back Sainty and two assists from midfielder Robbie Wilmott highlighted Barry’s depth in the squad, and this level of team effort will be required with a tough potential few games ahead.
Hulbert’s last three games have produced the same number of goals and finished the season with a career-high of 15. His goals have proved crucial on a number of occasions and he will hope to extend that tally in the playoffs.
The previously mentioned pair of assists from Wilmott were the result of a formidable midfield performance where he controlled the game and kept the team ticking over. The Town can draw on his League football experience to see them through the high-pressure environment they will face on Saturday and any further games.