Cymru Premier veteran striker Mike Hayes fired Caernarfon Town into the Play-Off Final as the Gwynedd side proved too strong for Barry Town.
Caernarfon are now just 90 minutes away from qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history and will face the winners of Penybont and Newtown who face each other at lunchtime today (12:15, live via Sgorio online).
The former Connah’s Quay and Bala Town marksman fired the Cofis in front on 41 minutes before Barry Town quickly replied.
Darren Thomas charged through midfield and forced Barry goalkeeper Mike Lewis to save, leaving Hayes on hand to drive home the rebound.
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Three minutes later, a Barry Town corner resulted in Evan Press’ header deflect off Gareth Edwards as the hosts put themselves back on level terms.
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Hayes struck again early in the second-half when he latched onto long pass forward and guided the ball over Lewis.
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Barry Town struggled to muster any sequence of extended pressure while Hayes squandered at chances to put the visitors further in front.
Caernarfon always seemed likelier of the two sides to strike again and substitute Jake Bickerstaff wrapped things up with a cool finish deep into added time.
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COFIS CAN DREAM OF EUROPE, BARRY LEFT TO RUE POOR PERFORMANCE
Caernarfon will be further galvanised by this big semi-final victory and will have an even bigger sense of belief that they can now go all the way and qualify Europe – but regardless how their play-off campaign ends, the season has been a successful one for Huw Griffiths’ team.
Caernarfon’s determined streak and quality in attacking areas have enabled them to prove their doubters wrong, after they were tipped by some (including myself) to struggle this year, and there is no reason why they can’t build on the progress made this season to be competitive again next year.
Barry Town however are left to contemplate what might have been in what was ultimately a disappointing performance from the Jenner Park side.
Barry looked short of ideas and flat in a tie which was most definitely winnable for them, and it was only a superb save from Mike Lewis and some wasteful finishing in the second-half from Caernarfon that prevented them from having an even bigger lead.
Barry fans will rightly argue that a full-fit Kayne McLaggon and an available Jordan Cotterill could’ve made all the difference on the day, but they do possess a large squad and you suspect Gavin Chesterfield might have some big decisions to make as to what that squad might look like going into next season. It could be an interesting summer at Jenner Park.
CYMRU PREMIER EUROPEAN PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINALS
Sat: Barry Town 1-3 Caernarfon Town, Sun: Penybont v Newtown (12:15)
Featured image courtesty of John Smith/FAW