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Barry slip out of top six

Sunday, 22 December 2024 09:24

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

Barry Town United's top six hopes in the Cymru Premier were hit by a 3-1 defeat at Bala Town.

Steve Jenkins' men slipped to seventh in the table, but only on goal difference, following back-to-back league defeats going into a crucial festive season.

Barry have just three games left before the end of phase one of the campaign - with the race for a place in the Championship Conference likely to go down to the wire.

Making their second trip in as many weeks to Gwynedd, Jenkins opted for four changes from the side beaten by Caernarfon with Liam Armstrong favoured over Luc Rees in goal, while Keenan Patten, Ollie Hulbert and Josh Beecher all returned in place of Callum Sainty, Sam Snaith and Josh Yorwerth in the starting XI.

Beecher brought about the earliest chance at Maes Tegid when his long range volley from Mikey George's cross was saved by Lakesiders keeper Joel Torrance.

Barry continued to pose the early threat as McLaggon headed over the bar from the close range while Hulbert collided with Torrance when he looked clear on goal, with the resulting penalty appeal dismissed.

Bala gradually worked their way into the game - and went close when a low shot was spilt by Armstrong into the path of Joe Malkin, who struck the woodwork.

Kavanagh broke clear to work his way round three Bala players only for his follow-up shot to be deflected away.

But Barry fell behind on 37 minutes as Eddie Clarke struck past Armstrong for his first goal of the season, curling home the ball from just outside the box.

And the Lakesiders nearly took a two-goal lead into the break, but Evan Press intervened with a superb clearance off the line.

The visitors found their chances slightly more sparing in the second half - with Torrance making an easy save out of a deflected long range effort from Hulbert, while a corner from Robbie Willmott was nodded into the goalkeeper's palms by Will Richards.

But the pressure from Bala eventually told when on 69 minutes, Malkin bundled the ball home at close range from a corner to double their lead.

Armstrong denied Louis Robles from adding a third, but he was unable to prevent Hussein Mehasseb, whose low drive from the edge of the area put the game beyond doubt on 89 minutes.

Barry found a response moments later with a tight angled finish from Ieuan Owen following some good build-up play, while substitute Snaith hit the crossbar in added time.

Bala leapfrogged their opponents into the top half of the table - with Barry now facing three crucial games as they look to work their way back into the fold before the league splits.

First up is a Boxing Day lunchtime derby at home to Penybont followed by a New Year's Eve visit to Briton Ferry (both 12.30pm kick offs) before phase one concludes at home to Haverfordwest on Saturday 11th January (12.45pm ko)

JD Cymru Premier
Aberystwyth Town 3-1 Caernarfon Town
Bala Town 3-1 Barry Town United
The New Saints v Briton Ferry Llansawel (Sunday 2.30pm ko)

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