LLANDUDNO SNARE THE SEASIDE SPOILS

A single strike on the stroke of half time saw Llandudno return to the top of the JD Welsh Premier League on Saturday; the Seasiders squeezing by battling Barry in a competitive affair at the Giant Hospitality Stadium.

Coming in for the injured Ryan Newman, midfielder Callum Sainty enjoyed Barry's best chance of the first half; the towering teenager firing a long distance effort tantalisingly close, after Llandudno goalkeeper Dave Roberts had been caught off his line.

It was the hosts however who struck first blood; former Wrexham defender Mike Williams unleashing a strike on the turn that beat his namesake Mike Lewis in the Barry net.

With the official soon sounding his half-time whistle, it was a crushing moment for Barry to concede; the South Walians having covered a ton of ground to contain their unbeaten opponents.

Nevertheless, the second period saw the visitors come out swinging in pursuit of that coveted equaliser; and they very nearly got it.

In the midst of a number of waves of attack, Sainty looked to have brought Barry level; only for Roberts to tip his effort (from close range, this time) onto the crossbar, before teammate Danny Taylor made the crucial clearance.

With the double introduction of Drew Fahiya and Louis Gerrard adding new zeal to their fightback, Barry would rack up corner after corner, yet would find themselves unable to carve out another clear-cut chance.

As fellow replacement and debutante Macaulay Southam found his efforts particularly frustrated, Roberts and his defensive unit did well to snuff out a number of crosses; keeping their slender lead intact, while giving Town striker Kayne McLaggon precious little room to maneuver.

Seeing out the match in one of the Barry corners, much credit must go to Llandudno on a robust defence of their 1-0 advantage.

All though is not lost for the Town, who will look to recover in the best way possible against Carmarthen at Jenner Park this Thursday (21st).

With the likes of Paul Morgan, Chris Hugh and others impressing in North Wales, Barry will be targeting a second straight home victory, against an Old Gold side buoyed by their remarkable 4-0 win at Bala on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm, with admission at the regular rates of £7 (adults), £5 (senior citizens/students) and £3 (children).