Milton Keynes Dons winger Louie Barry is eager to get himself a goal against Port Vale, after enduring the most difficult time in his young career against them last season.
The Dons take on the League One new boys at Stadium MK this evening, seeking their first points of the 2022/23 campaign, and one new addition to the side is determined to make amends for the heartbreak he suffered towards the end of last season against them.
Barry, while playing on loan for Swindon Town during the second half of the 2021/22 season, helped guide the Robins to the League Two playoffs after some stellar performances.
In the playoff semi-finals, Barry came face-to-face with the Dons' opponents Port Vale and helped his side claim a 2-1 win in the first leg before travelling to Vale Park for the second.
The home side snatched a 1-0 victory and pushed the tie to penalties, which they ultimately won 6-5, taking themselves to Wembley, defeating Mansfield Town 3-0 in the final, while Barry's Swindon were consigned to another year in the fourth tier.
Speaking at the Dons' pre-match press conference ahead of today's fixture, Barry spoke of the pain of that loss and his determination to help his new side get a result this time around with him hopefully finding the net.
Reflecting on the loss, Barry explained: "That was a tough moment for me. I feel like it's time to set the record straight because that was probably the hardest moment in my career, losing on penalties in my first season.
"It's bittersweet because, at the start of the season I had, I wouldn't have dreamed of being in the playoffs and starting in the playoffs live on Sky."
"But, losing on penalties, no one wants that."
He concluded, determined, saying: "I'd say it was the saddest moment of my career, so far, so I can't wait to get out there tomorrow and hopefully score in front of them."
