Barry Town United 2-0 Swansea City XI: Jordan Cotterill injury overshadows another positive pre-season run out for Linnets as Marcus Jones impresses again

Barry Town United ran out winners in pre-season for the second time in just a couple of days but the result was overshadowed with captain Jordan Cotterill going off with what looked like a serious injury. 

Marcus Jones’ mazy run and finish put the Linnets a goal up, before their lead was doubled after Drew Fahiya prodded home from close range to put the hosts in control at Jenner Park.

Swansea rallied in the second half, but it came to no avail as Cotterill was forced off with a serious looking injury midway through the second half.

Match Report

Barry started positively and had a chance inside the first minute following fine work from Marcus Jones, who was making just his second start for the hosts as he drove positively down the left-hand side before smartly cutting the ball back to Kayne McLaggon but he couldn’t quite divert his header on target as it drifted just wide of the mark.

Jones looked a player who was oozing with confidence, with his tenacity and pace going forward causing the Swansea back-line all sorts of problems in the early stages as the sun blossomed down onto the pitch.

And it was Barry who deservedly took the lead, and surprise, surprise, it was that man Jones. First, though, the experienced Troy Greening terrifically broke-up play before playing the ball to the youngster, who bulldozed his way forward,  before taking on several Swansea players as he coolly slotted home.

The hosts were now on top – and the Swans had work to do. Barry almost doubled their lead moments later, too. It was tremendous work from McLaggon, who smartly worked a bit of space for himself, before firing in a shot, but to Swansea’s relief, it faded just wide of the mark as Barry began to build momentum following Jones’ opening goal.

Mike Lewis, the fans favourite then showed why he is such a fantastic shot-stopper as he prevented Swansea from equalising from a corner as he saved excellently to ensure the hosts remained a goal to the good after producing a magnificent stop after the Swans player rose highest to meet the header in the box.

But after being on the back-foot for the majority of the first-half, Swansea found themselves two goals down after more superb work from Jones, who’s outside of the foot effort was saved by the goalkeeper, before McLaggon slammed the ball back in, and somehow, it found its way to Fahiya, who made no mistake from two-yards out to put the hosts in a commanding position heading in at the break.

Of course, there are still things to work on this pre-season but the hosts looked good in the first-half at Jenner Park, playing some really attractive football in the process – and Jones most certainly looks like a player who could play a big part in the future after his tenacity and endeavour throughout the first-half delighted the home faithful.

Swansea started with more urgency in the second-half and went close after some fine build-up play, before the ball was fired in courtesy of a volley from outside of the box. The technique was nothing short of superb, but Lewis was equal to it as the hosts remained 2-0 up.

It was the Swans who kept on applying the pressure in the second-half, but there again was Lewis to keep his goal in-tact as the visitors started to pose some questions of the Barry Town United back-line.

Then the moment every Barry fan would have dreaded in pre-season happened as Cotterill fell awkwardly and was forced off with what looked like a serious looking injury – Chesterfield and the rest of the team will be hoping it isn’t as serious as first feared, because the playmaker looked as though he was in a considerable amount of pain after the incident occurred.

After that, the game appeared to fizzle out. But Chesterfield, in general, can be proud of his side’s efforts after defeating the Swansea City XI by a two-goal cushion to ensure they retained their 100% record in pre-season after also recording wins previously in pre-season against both Penydarren BGC and Ton Pentre, respectively.

Barry will next travel to Cyncoed Campus on the weekend to face-off against fellow JD Welsh Premier League side Cardiff Met in what will provide them with a stern test ahead of their season opener against The New Saints, with the game kicking off at 14:30 in the Welsh Capital.

(Featured image: Rhys Skinner)