TNS 4

Barry Town United 0

BARRY Town United were denied their first national silverware in 14 years at the weekend, but the team and the town can hold their heads high, after an inspiring display against all-conquering TNS in the Nathaniel MG Cup Final.

Watched by an enthusiastic crowd of 1,116, the second highest in the competition’s 25-year history, Gavin Chesterfield’s team were rank outsiders by the bookmakers in the build-up to the final; at one pointed as high as 40-1 outsiders to prevail in the 90 minutes.

Nevertheless, the Town put together a spirited and well-drilled performance at Cardiff’s Cyncoed Stadium, defying their lower league status and holding the Nathaniel MG Cup holders and favourites until the 78th minute of this absorbing televised showdown.

The build-up to kick-off saw a host of activities across the afternoon, from academy matches to pre-match hospitality, before a convoy of coaches made the short trip from Jenner Park, bolstering the Town’s vocal and colourful support to around the 800 mark and creating a terrific atmosphere.

In a season that has already seen them set an all-time record for consecutive victories, TNS would kick-off in Cardiff, but it was Barry who would create the first chance of the final, with less than 15 seconds played.

Quickly gathering the ball after a Saints pass ran astray, Town forward TJ Nagi coped well under pressure and unleashed a high, goalbound shot from the right side of the box, forcing TNS goalkeeper and team captain Paul Harrison to tip over his crossbar.

Moments later, an enthused Town would threaten again; fearless Jordan Cotterill embarking on an intrepid surge forward, threading a delicious through ball to teammate Nagi, whose right-footed effort was blocked at close quarters, forcing a second Barry corner inside the opening minutes.

Unshaken by the early turbulence, professionals TNS soon settled into their regular rhythm, attempting to stretch Barry by dragging them wide and spreading the ball across the pitch, making the Town XI cover great distance in the process.

Nevertheless, the Barry back four would be up to the task at hand, entering what the Welsh Premier League’s own website described as “a behemoth of a shift”, with Nagi and others covering significant ground to support the defensive effort.

With four minutes elapsed on the Cardiff stadium’s electronic scoreboard, TNS forward Alex Darlington would burst through into the Barry box, only for the heroic Chris Hugh to deliver a magnificent tackle, denying the former UEFA Europa League marksman a clean strike at goal.

Moments later, Darlington found himself with another opportunity, after receiving right back Ryan Pryce’s assist. However, brilliant Barry goalkeeper Mike Lewis would hit the ground in breakneck speed to stop his shot through a small crowd of players at the goal line, before full back Paul Morgan was able to scramble the ball clear, despite the pressure of forward Greg Draper.

Former Aberystwyth Town man Lewis was called into action again after 12 minutes, repelling a low shot at the near post from Adrian Cieselwicz, before a superlative passing move from the unbeaten Welsh Premier League champions forced Ryan Evans to clear Barry’s lines in emphatic fashion.

With the Town’s attempts at a counter attack snuffed out, TNS continued their pursuit of a first half opener and appeared poised to break the deadlock when former Middlesbrough youngster Ryan Brobbel weaved his way into a goalscoring position. However, Lewis would palm the effort away, ensuring another impressive move would count for nothing, as Barry’s robust display continued.

Despite finding their own opportunities to be naturally limited, Barry would be back on the front foot around the 20 minute mark, holding up the play effectively, before Cotterill seized the moment and skipped into the penalty area from the left; his grounded ball across to a waiting Nagi gathered up by Harrison.

Meanwhile on the right flank, wide man Ryan Pryce had been engaged in quite the battle with Barry’s Michael Hartley and while Pryce would get beyond his man with 21 minutes played, an inspired Hugh would be on hand once more to clean up, unleashing another tremendous challenge that would warrant his second TV replay of the day.

A third would follow within minutes at a rattled Pryce’s expense, as Hugh made his mark on the tie to help keep the scoreline 0 - 0.

After North Walian referee Iwan Griffith did well to diffuse a war of limbs between Cieselwicz and Drew Fahiya and in the penalty area, the ensuing corner saw TNS briefly switch from their passing game to attempt a looping header, only for the outstretched Lewis to gather from Ryan Edwards.

Edwards would then find himself with a great opportunity to break the deadlock, only for Hugh to block his downward header from point-blank range with his knees, blasting the ball to safety.

Enthused by their defensive defiance, Cotterill would soon kickstart a Barry attack, winning the ball in a full back position and feeding a sparkling Nagi, who did well in the middle of the field to fend off opponents, though Fahiya’s subsequent attempts to find space up front were shut down by Brobbel.

Then, at the opposite end, Cieselwicz and Darlington would combine, only for Barry defender Luke Cooper to deal with the danger, intervening and putting the ball out of play. Despite the Saints ending the half with the lions’ share of possession, the final attacking set piece would belong to the Town; although Cotterill’s eventual attempt at a scissor kick would fail to threaten the TNS goal.

Nevertheless, Cotterill would be back at it after the break; his teasing and dipping right-footed curler from distance calling Harrison into action, after Evans had intercepted one attempt from the treble-chasing Saints and Lewis had smothered another, to Edwards’ chagrin.

Saints boss Craig Harrison had replaced forwards Greg Draper and Alex Darlington with Scott Quigley and Chris Seargeant at the interval and the latter would play a highly influential role as the final progressed.

However, the threats from the Welsh Premier League’s runaway leaders remained across the field, with Barry working hard to keep their full-time opponents contained.

After Town skipper James Saddler had dispossessed Brobbel, TNS recovered quickly to force another dramatic save out of Lewis and the shot stopper showed his range by punching clear moments later, before Curtis Watkins survived a penalty scare a breath before the hour mark.

While the Saints’ high-tempo game plan showed little signs of letting up, Barry’s position heading into the final half hour offered the underdogs continued hope of a remarkable upset, should they be able to build upon their tactics and resiliency with a crucial breakaway goal.

In one of his strongest showings all season (in spite of the lack of possession), tireless Nagi made the most of his time with the ball, causing the TNS defence problems with a thrilling run down the left.

The Saints looked primed to score in the 68th minute; only for the inspired Hugh to clear Edwards’ shot off the goal line and keep his teammates in the contest. With Cieselwicz resorting to a futile shot from distance, it appeared frustration may be setting in for a Saints side who had previously scored a hatful of goals across their league and cup campaigns.

Then, Barry’s big moment arrived. Winning a seemingly unwinnable challenge against three of his green and white foes, Saddler fired the ball forward, allowing Cotterill and Nagi to combine with a smart one-two that set the former free.

With memories of his semi-final winner still fresh in mind, Cotterill then opted to go for goal, only for the prolific forward’s fine sidefooted strike to rebound agonisingly off the TNS crossbar. The holders had survived the biggest threat to their trophy yet; but with only 20 minutes remaining, everything remained to play for in the battle for the trophy.

Moments after Lewis had made another nail-biting save at the near post, Barry boss Gavin Chesterfield threw midfielder Louis Gerrard into the fray, with the 2016 signing replacing the long-serving Hartley for the final 16 minutes.

The onslaught on Lewis’ goal would continue, but the tall Barry goalkeeper remained in formidable form, saving from Cieselwicz’s latest long-range hit and scurrying to stop Brobbel capitalising on the rebound.

With Fahiya taking out Cieselwicz with a phenomenal tackle in the 77th minute, Barry’s spirit and determination to battle to a result appeared in no short supply, leaving their coachloads of fans dreaming of glory, as the prospect of extra-time began to creep into the consciousness.

Dramatically though, the Saints would finally find a breakthrough with 78 minutes played; substitute Seargeant receiving Brobbel’s square ball from the right and side footing into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area. It was a quality goal to break the deadlock, yet a bitter arrow through the Barry heart, as the jubilant goalscorer ran off to celebrate with his outnumbered supporters.

Rocked by the TNS opener, the Town’s battling players had barely even had time to comprehend the scoreline when Cieselwicz made it 2 - 0 in the 80th minute; the former Wrexham man capitalising on Seargeant’s intelligent pass and finishing first time, to deliver a crushing second.

For Cieselwicz, who had been hospitalised with a skull fracture against Llandudno in August, the delight at capping his return with such an important goal was plain for all to see.

Reacting to the one-two punch, Barry manager Chesterfield would ring the changes immediately, bringing on cup hotshot James Dixon for Fahiya and powerful presence Callum Sainty for Morgan.

Unfortunately though, neither of the players would have the time to make their mark on the final, the landscape of which had, almost in a heartbeat, changed beyond recognition.

While brave Barry would continue to fight on, TNS were riding the crest of a wave and ruthlessly made it three in the 84th minute; Quigley doing well to return to his feet and setting up Seargeant, with the former Everton player taking the ball past his man and firing into the roof of the Barry net.

Then 30-year-old Seargeant claimed his hat-trick in the 89th minute; his grounded strike from distance taking a cruel deflection left, bamboozling Lewis, who had committed to diving right.

Ultimately, the 4 - 0 scoreline would be incredibly cruel on a Barry squad who had competed gallantly throughout the tournament, from extra-time in the first round at Cambrian and Clydach in August, to the final few minutes of the final; a game that proved far closer than many might have anticipated.

TNS will now look to complete an unprecedented domestic treble-treble, with the extra opportunity of adding Scotland’s IRN-BRU Cup to their trophy haul; an audacious achievement, should it happen.

Barry meanwhile will begin the task of trying to reclaim their Welsh Premier League status; a task some 13 years in the making that begins this Saturday afternoon, away at Afan Lido (2pm kick-off).

With 16 games to go, some may suggest that 16 cup finals await the Town this season; yet if their effort matches that of the match with TNS, the club will have every chance of their own glory yet.

Barry: Mike Lewis, Paul Morgan, Chris Hugh, Luke Cooper, Ryan Evans, James Saddler, Michael Hartley, Curtis Watkins, TJ Nagi, Jordan Cotterill, Drew Fahiya. Subs: Louis Gerrard (for Hartley), Dan Bradley, Callum Sainty (for Morgan), James Dixon (for Fahiya) Bobby Briers, Kieran Cotterill, Callum Flynn.