Barry Town United made it six home wins from six, as they beat Welsh Premier League strugglers Llanelli by three goals, with the Reds being shown two red cards.
The Dragons opened the scoring early on through Robbie Patten, but Llanelli levelled immediately through Joe Clark. Barry took the lead before half-time through Jonathan Hood. Llanelli did get level through Lenny Evans, but after the red cards of Chris Thomas and Joe Clarke proved costly.
Barry Town tested Davies’ goalkeeping skills in the first minute. Chris Hugh went down the line and passed to Jonathan Hood, who curled an effort into the hands of Oliver Davies.
With just their second chance of the game, Barry took the lead. Robbie Patten scored with a header from Chris Hugh’s well-delivered corner.
But Barry’s lead lasted just a minute, as Southam-Hales sliced his clearance and Captain Joe Clark was able to header past Mike Lewis, for an immediate equaliser.
Jonathan Hood attempted another effort, as he pulled away from Chris Jones, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Momodou Touray, fresh from his Wales Under-21 cameo, played in Jordan Cotterill, forcing Davies into a strong save. He almost earned his side a penalty too. After a smart run from Southam-Hales, Barry had a penalty appeal turned down. Touray hammered a shot towards goal, with Jordan Davies blocking it.
Lenny Evans forced Mike Lewis to save at his near post with a half-volley, after a smart pass from Jordan Davies. Evans again tested Lewis, this time Joe Clark played him in, with Lewis turning to shoot, as Lewis tipped his effort round the post.
Before halftime, Barry regained the lead. Southam-Hales smart cross went through a static Llanelli defence to find Cotterill, who was denied superbly by Davies, but Jonathan Hood curled in an effort on the rebound in the last action of the half.
As the players emerged for the second half, Hood almost grabbed an immediate second goal. Thomas Fry’s cross evaded Touray, but Hood’s curling effort went just over the bar.
Llanelli drew level in fortuitous fashion five minutes into the second half. Luke Cooper dwelled on the ball and dispossessed by Lenny Evans, who was denied firstly by Mike Lewis but powered an effort in on the rebound to bring the Reds back into the game.
There was a big boost for Barry as Llanelli were reduced to ten on the hour mark. Llanelli captain Joe Clarke was shown a straight red card as he went straight through Troy Greening, who came out of the challenge unscathed.
Despite being a man light, Llanelli almost took the lead for the first time. Jordan Davies drive from distance was just whiskers away from the Barry goal.
Barry almost in front for a third time. Touray switched the play to Hugh, before positioning himself for an effort, but Chris Thomas made a superb block to deny the on-loan County forward a goal.
They had another opportunity as Thomas Fry played the ball over to Hood in search of his second goal with a well-taken touch. That was Hood’s last action as he was substituted by McLaggon. McLaggon was almost immediately on the scoresheet after his introduction as his header hit the post, from a Southam-Hales cross.
Barry replicated their effort just moments later, again Southam-Hales cross found the head of McLaggon and his header was just agonisingly wide of the goal.
Chris Hugh who hadn’t scored a goal until Saturday against Carmarthen, put Barry in front for a third time with twelve minutes to go. The Barry full-back looked to have hit a cross, but Oliver Davies flapped at the effort, gifting Barry the lead.
Jordan Cotterill tried to ensure the three points went to the home side when he attempted an effort just outside the box, but Davies was responsive to his effort.
The game was secured just before stoppage time. A straight ball was played through to Clayton Green and he delivered with a simple finish.
Thomas Fry almost made it five as he turned a shot onto the post. However, Kayne McLaggon did make it five, as the substitute left Davies stranded as he snuck an effort past the Reds goalkeeper.
Barry Town United
Lewis, Southam-Hales, Hugh (Morgan 89), Cooper, Watkins, Greening, Patten, Cotterill (Greene 85), Fry, Touray, Hood (McLaggon 72)
Llanelli Town
O.Davies, C.Jones, Thomas, Indja, Nelson, Clark, J.Jones, J.Davies (Khaton 85) , Evans, Follows (Jenkins 81), Loveridge.
(Featured Image: Rhys Skinner)
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