The league season has come to an end but there is still a place in Europe up for grabs in the play-off matches.
Pen-y-bont, Barry Town, Caernarfon and Newtown will be competing for a spot in UEFA’s new competition, the Europa Conference League, as well as over €200,000 in prize money!
Both play-off matches will be shown live on Sgorio – Barry Town v Caernarfon on S4C, Saturday at 17.15 and Pen-y-bont v Newtown on Sgorio’s digital platforms, kick off at 12.15 on Sunday.
EUROPEAN SEMI-FINAL PLAY-OFFS 2020/21
Barry Town United (5th) v Caernarfon (6th) | Saturday – 17:15
This exact fixture was played last weekend. Darren Thomas took the lead for Caernarfon at Jenner Park on the stroke of half time, but three goals from Barry in the second half secured the victory. The Cofi Messi scored a late consolation goal to make it 3-2.
Of the four clubs competing in the play-offs, Barry have the most experience in Europe. The Dragons have competed in Europe on 11 occasions, enjoying memorable nights along the way – especially the famous 3-1 win over FC Porto at home in 2001!
Barry have never reached Europe via the play-off route before. They have only played one match in the play-offs, but lost heavily to Cardiff Met in the 2018 semi-final (4-1).
Caernarfon have never reached Europe but similarly to Barry, they’ve only played one play-off match – also against Met! The Students beat Caernarfon 2-3 in the 2019 semi-final on their journey to reaching Europe for the first time in their history!
Caernarfon will have to beat Barry at Jenner Park for the first time since 2004 to reach the play-off final.
Previous meetings: Barry Town United 3-1 Caernarfon, Caernarfon 2-0 Barry Town United, Caernarfon 0-1 Barry Town United, Barry Town United 3-2 Caernarfon
Form Guide:
Barry Town United: ❌❌❌❌✅
Caernarfon: ➖➖✅❌❌
Pen-y-bont (4th) v Newtown (7fth) | Sunday – 12:15
Pen-y-bont have been one of the stories of the season – after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Rhys Griffiths’ men have finished 4th this season and in the Top Six for the first time.
Despite Barry being the most experienced in Europe, Newtown are the most experienced in the play-offs.
Newtown have reached six of the last seven play-off games, and are the only club of the four to have reached the final – in the 14/15 season. The Robins beat Aberystwyth 1-2 at Park Avenue to reach Europe for the first time in 15 years.
The 2015/16 European campaign was a memorable one for Newtown – they beat Valletta of Malta twice (2-1, 1-2) to reach the second qualifying round where they played Danish giants Copenahgen (lost 5-1 over two legs).
Both sides have beaten each other this season – Pen-y-bont winning in 2-1 in October before Newtown got their revenge at Latham Park in March with a 2-0 victory.
Previous meetings: Pen-y-bont 2-1 Y Newtown, Newtown 2-0 Pen-y-bont
Form Guide:
Pen-y-bont: ✅➖❌❌❌
Newtown: ✅✅❌✅❌
