AFTER an incredible second half to the season, Barry Town United are two games from Europe and will travel to either Bala Town or Cardiff Met in their JD Welsh Premier League play-off semi-final.

Barry’s play-off opportunity will be on the weekend of 12/13th May; but before that, all eyes will be Sunday’s JD Welsh Cup Final at Latham Park, the outcome of which will determine their opponents.

Should Aberystwyth defeat Connah’s Quay Nomads to secure their first Welsh Cup since 1899-1900, the Seasiders will qualify directly for Europe, setting up a four-team play-off for Wales’ final spot.

In such a scenario, Bala will entertain Barry at Maes Tegid, while Cefn Druids will tackle Cardiff Met at The Rock, with the two victors facing off in a decisive showdown the following Sunday afternoon.

However, if Connah’s Quay can lift the historic Welsh Cup trophy for the first time in their history, then Barry face a short trip to Cyncoed to play against Cardiff Met, with Druids awaiting the winner.

Collecting eight wins and two draws from ten Phase Two fixtures, Barry are entering the play-offs in strong form, with their Friday evening win over Carmarthen Town extending their points total to 53.

On the night, it took Jonathan Hood’s 55th minute effort to separate the teams; the visitors lifted by a late reprieve that sees them retain their Welsh Premier League status for a 23rd consecutive year.

Striker Hood’s acquisition in January’s transfer window has proven to be a shrewd addition to Gavin Chesterfield’s squad and the former Port Talbot Town man was on hand ten minutes into the second half to volley in his fourth goal in as many games and his fifth since making the switch to Jenner Park.

Having previously beaten the Old Gold three times this season, Barry were keen to complete an unprecedented quadruple and the home side almost rubber stamped their latest win when Kayne McLaggon saw his shot scooped off the line, after a delicate one-two with teammate Drew Fahiya.

However, the game would remain at 1-0, as Barry closed out their Welsh Premier League campaign with a 16th win from 32 outings; an excellent return after over a decade’s absence from the top tier.

Having defied expectations to solidify their place in the Welsh Premier, Chesterfield and his players now have a chance to cap a fine season with the extraordinary prize of European football.

Should Barry negotiate the two play-offs, then the team cast into obscurity five years ago this week will be flying the flag for Welsh football in the UEFA Europa League’s qualifying stages, this summer.

While the post-millennial fall and subsequent rise of the club from Jenner Park has been well-documented, could another remarkable chapter in this eventful story be about to be written?