JANUARY 2, 2018
TOWN TAKE THE FESTIVE SPOILS
Jenner Park was the setting for a festive goal festival over the Christmas period, as Barry Town United exacted revenge over JD Welsh Premier League rivals Prestatyn, emerging 4-0 winners.
Despite having the edge over Barry in both of their prior encounters, the Seasiders made the long journey south in suspect form, with Neil Gibson’s squad having endured four successive defeats.
The hosts meanwhile, having recorded a 2-1 win at Carmarthen, saw this fixture as an opportunity to pull clear of the bottom two, while remaining in the hunt for a coveted place in the league’s top six.
Attacking the game from the off, Barry went close to opening the scoring when Macauley Southam, James Saddler and finally Chris Hugh combined to set up Jordan Cotterill, right on the penalty spot.
Cotterill would blaze his left-footed effort over the Prestatyn crossbar, yet the forward’s pursuit of a first-ever JD Welsh Premier League goal would soon be over, to the delight of the large home crowd.
With less than 15 minutes played, Prestatyn’s Zebb Edwards disposed Kayne McLaggon, only for the ball to run into the path of Cotterill, who carried it forward before notching into the bottom corner.
The North Walians had started the game looking to strongarm their way into command, but with referee Rob Jenkins having little time for their tactics, all the visitors collected were a host of cards; though Edwards was fortunate to get up from a mistimed tackle from Drew Fahiya later in the half.
With Barry’s early goal forcing their opponents to change tack, the boys from Bastion Gardens almost drew level when Noah Edwards’ goalbound drive was spectacularly saved by Mike Lewis.
However, it was the home side who looked most likely to convert again before the half was out; McLaggon heading wide after an exquisite delivery from Troy Greening to leave the score at 1-0.
In the second half, battling Prestatyn sought to capitalise on any Barry Town jitters and claw their way level; the visitors looking to punish their opponents for failing to extend their first-half lead.
They appeared to achieve their aim when Zyaac Edwards’s low shot from outside the area burst through a crowd of defenders, clipped teammate Jack Kenny and ended up in the bottom corner.
However, the linesman’s flag would quickly deny Prestatyn that all-important equaliser, with former Rhyl striker Kenny ruled a whisker offside, beyond both marker Saddler and final man, Luke Cooper.
Relieved and reinvigorated, Barry pressed forward and, after top work down the right by Cotterill, Southam fired a turning shot beyond Prestatyn goalkeeper Carl Jones to double his side’s advantage.
Quickly turning provider, the former Cardiff City midfielder caused Prestatyn’s Ben Maher a world of problems, before playing in Hugh, whose delivery deflected off defender Myles Hart against the bar.
Barry’s third though would soon be on its way and it was sparkling Southam again who scored it, drilling a first-time finish from Fahiya’s pass into the Prestatyn net and completing the unusual feat of having scored with both feet inside a five-minute window.
Three goals to the good, Barry manager Gavin Chesterfield would soon withdraw skipper Saddler, with McLaggon and Cotterill also brought off, with perhaps at least an eye on the fixtures ahead.
Before departing the field however, there was still time for both players to play a significant role.
Surging onto a dangerous ball over the top, McLaggon would be clattered by goalkeeper Jones, way outside of his penalty area, leading to a straight red card in the final 15 minutes for Prestatyn’s #1.
Then, after Southam’s attempt at a hat-trick was parried by substitute goalkeeper Ryan Roberts, Cotterill was on hand to convert Barry’s fourth and final goal of the afternoon from inside the area.
At 4-0, Barry’s festive win over Prestatyn (on what was their first ever visit to Jenner Park) was the club’s biggest in the Welsh Premier League since a 5-1 thrashing of Aberystwyth Town in April 2003.
More importantly, the result meant that Chesterfield’s side moved nine points clear of the Seasiders; a gap that has since widened to 12, with Barry’s Boxing Day win against Cardiff Met at Jenner Park.
For the band of supporters who made the journey from Denbighshire to the Vale of Glamorgan, successive defeats to Welsh Cup holders Bala Town suggest a tough second phase might await.
Only time will tell however if Barry’s second phase destiny includes another pair of meetings with relegation-fighting Prestatyn, or matches with Met and Bala, who have both secured their berth.
Bala themselves will provide Barry’s final opponents of the first phase on Saturday 13 January, with kick-off at Jenner Park at the later time of 5.15pm, in line with fixtures across the national league.