BARRY Town United's 2018-19 JD Welsh Premier League campaign began with a 5-1 defeat at The New Saints on Sunday, but the club's travelling supporters would find plenty of positives in a performance far stronger than the one-sided scoreline may suggest.

Pitted against the champions for the first time since their stunning 1-0 upset at Park Hall last November, Barry boss Gavin Chesterfield handed out no fewer than four competitive debuts, with Marcus Jones, Clayton Green and latest recruit Tom Fry joining striker Momodou Touray on the Town teamsheet.

Saints supremo Scott Ruscoe meanwhile would similarly shuffle the deck, with a watchful eye on the impending Europa League second leg against Midtyjlland in Denmark this Thursday evening.

Starting their domestic season at a high tempo, the irrepressible hosts were in front on 15 minutes, as Blaine Hudson rose high to head home a free-kick.

However, their attempts to score a quick-fire second were denied by some brilliant goalkeeping as Barry's Mike Lewis saved from Curtis Byrne on three separate occasions, while keeping hotshot Jamie Mullan at bay.

In the 38th minute, Lewis' extraordinary efforts to keep his teammates in the game were rewarded, as Barry pulled off a training ground special to draw level.

Drifting a corner kick deep into the TNS penalty area, Luke Cooper's back-post header provided the perfect set-up for Curtis Watkins to nod in the equaliser; the former Cardiff City U23 captain scoring the first JD Welsh Premier League goal of his playing career.

Unfortunately for Barry though, an old scourge would soon re-emerge to harm their hopes before the break.

In 2017's Nathaniel MG Cup final, the introduction of substitute Chris Seargeant preceded a four-goal blitz that put paid to Barry Town's chances; and it was the same Seargeant who played a pivotal part on Sunday, netting twice in short order to put the Saints 3-1 ahead.

After finishing off a neat passing move for his first goal, Sergeant's second was even better; a delicious, left-footer that curled unstoppably into the top corner.

Two minutes away from heading in on terms, Barry instead found themselves with a second-half mountain to climb, as the hosts turned on the style to full effect.

Nevertheless, the new-look Town XI showed some good promise in their periods of possession, with loanee Touray making himself a real handful and Fry showing glimpses of what made Chesterfield so keen to sign him from Scottish League One outfit Airdrieonians.

With Troy Greening scarcely putting a foot wrong in the centre of the park, Barry were keeping the hosts on their toes; yet the Saints are clearly champions for a reason and their full-time fitness shone through in the 73rd minute, as they powered on through for a fourth.

Spreading the ball from Mullan to Simon Spender and stretching the Barry defence in the process, Spender's diagonal pass eluded a tiring Cooper to give prolific TNS goalscorer Greg Draper a tap-in at the back post.

Then, in a matter of minutes, a ruthless through ball from Adrian Cieślewicz put Draper through once more; and the league's leading marksman of 2017-18 made no mistake in doubling his tally for the new season.

A heavy defeat on paper then and a dynamic TNS display, but there was more than enough for Barry fans to look forward to the football ahead, with Europa League entrants Bala Town the first visitors to Jenner Park this Sunday afternoon (2.30pm kick-off).

Admission to the match is payable at the turnstiles for £7 (adults), £5 (seniors/students) and £3 (children), with the club hopeful of a healthy crowd as they chase a first ever victory against Colin Caton's Lakesiders.