MARCH 27, 2018
FIVE FROM FIVE FOR IN-FORM TOWN
Days after Gavin Chesterfield was named as Manager of the Month for the first time, Barry Town United made it five wins from five in the JD Welsh Premier League Play-off Conference; the Jenner Park side recording a 2-0 triumph at Aberystwyth Town on Saturday afternoon.
Arriving in good spirits, visitors Barry would enjoy the day’s first notable effort, as James Demetriou shot with the outside of his foot, only to be denied by Aberystwyth Town goalkeeper Chris Mullock.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Jon Owen would mesmerise the Barry defence with a mazy run that took him deep inside the area, only for Barry stopper Mike Lewis to interject and save with his legs.
On 41 minutes, the deadlock was broken. After spritely Macauley Southam-Hales showed strength to dispossess Damian Allen, the midfielder’s surging run would be sharply curtailed; only for the ball to run into the path of Jordan Cotterill, who left-footed into the bottom corner from outside the box.
The second half meanwhile saw the chance of the game; a chance Aberystwyth would be left to rue, as the race for seventh spot and a place in the play-offs for UEFA Europa League football intensifies.
Collecting the ball on the left flank, former Stockport, Lincoln and Chester man Craig Hobson would strongarm his way past Luke Cooper and into the danger zone, but his pass across a gaping goal to substitute Joe Phillips was lifted agonisingly over the crossbar, gifting the visitors a real let-off.
Continuing their pursuit of an equaliser, Aberystwyth would threaten again, in what would become a mighty scramble. First, Southam-Hales blocked Ryan Wollacott’s goal bound effort, allowing Lewis to palm the ball free. Then, Cooper nipped in to crucially deny Declan Walker, before Hobson struck the climatic attempt over the bar.
It was another chance gone begging for the hosts, but credit must go to the Barry defence, who put their bodies on the line to keep hold of their slender goal advantage.
After Troy Greening headed clear to frustrate Wollacott again, Barry almost put the game to bed with ten minutes to play, as Cotterill spotted an invigorated Jonathan Hood charging on in space.
However, while Hood’s confident finish from 18 yards would zip past goalkeeper Mullock, it would only scrape the outside of the post, denying the January signing his second league goal for the club.
Sensing the need to strike and strike quickly, Aberystwyth created another quality effort when Hobson headed Mullock’s clearance onwards to Owens, who unleashed a dynamic shot on goal.
Lewis though would once more be the scourge of his former club; Barry’s own Mr. Reliable showing great instincts to save from Owens’ volley and bring the ball to safety, as the final whistle loomed.
Then, in the 90th minute, Lewis turned from shotstopper to supplier, pumping a long ball downfield that bounced above and beyond Drew Fahiya, to be met by a fired-up Louis Gerrard. Gerrard then controlled with his chest and slotted past Mullock to score, finally settling this entertaining contest.
The 2-0 victory keeps Barry in the driver’s seat for a play-off berth, heading into back-to-back meetings with Prestatyn Town, who need to win both to keep their WPL survival hopes alive.
Barry will welcome Prestatyn to Jenner Park Stadium this Saturday (2.30pm kick-off), with admission on the turnstiles for the regular rates of £7 (adults) £5 (senior citizens/students) and £3 (children).
Chesterfield’s men then travel to Bastion Gardens on Saturday 6th April, looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat suffered there in August when Michael Parker converted a dramatic, 93rd-minute winner.
In other news, the club has announced that its end of season awards evening will be held at Jenner Park on Friday 1st June, with tickets and tables for the annual event set to go on sale this weekend.