Barry Town United 2-1 Cardiff Metropolitan: Cotterill and McLaggon secure narrow victory to go top of Premier League
Barry Town United will go into the New Year top of the pile following their narrow victory over South Wales rivals Cardiff Metropolitan.
First half-goals from captain Jordan Cotterill and Kayne McLaggon gave Gavin Chesterfield’s side the victory in the early kick-off of the day, with former league leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads dropping points to Bala Town. Eliot Evans scored for Cardiff Metropolitan.
The Dragons secured their fourth consecutive win in what was a competitive fixture played between the two at Jenner Park Stadium.
Barry had already secured their top-six spot after a win against Caernarfon Town on Saturday but now find themselves top of the table.
The first chance of the game fell to Cardiff Metropolitan. After a pass from Guto Williams, Eliot Evans scooped his effort wide.
Barry Town United took the lead through their first real opportunity. A superb cross from Chris Hugh found Kayne McLaggon who powerfully headed it past Lang at the near post.
Barry’s lead was short lived though as Cardiff Metropolitan drew level three minutes later.
The Barry midfield stood off Eliot Evans and the influential midfielder hit a low strike from 25-yards past Mike Lewis.
The goal inspired Cardiff Met who almost took the lead. Dylan Rees crossed to Kyle McCarthy, but his effort went over the bar.
Jonathan Hood was impressing for Barry, covering a lot of ground as he moved from box to box.
Barry retook the lead just before the interval. Chris Hugh was involved again. His cutback found captain Jordan Cotterill who tucked it past the diving Lang to put Barry back in front.
Seconds after taking the lead, Cotterill almost had a second. Jonathan Hood played the ball over the top to the Barry captain, but Alex Lang denied the Barry captain with a superb save as Cotterill aimed for the low corner of the goal.
In the second half, Met almost drew level from an own goal. Kyle McCarthy’s goal was almost sliced into his own net by Luke Cooper but Mike Lewis collected.
Adam Roscrow then had an effort go over the bar as Met came out with a more attacking sense in the second half.
To stop Barry further going in front, Met captain Bradley Woolridge made a superb block with his body to deny Momodou Touray a goal, after lifting it up in the air and turning.
In the final ten minutes, Eliot Evans free-kick was lifted over to Roscrow, but his flicked header was saved by Lewis.
As Met put the bodies forward, substitute Thomas Fry almost had a third. Fry curled an effort onto the crossbar but it bounced back out, in the last real action of the game.
Barry Town United
Lewis, Morgan, Hugh, Cosslett, Cooper, Patten, Green, Cotterill (C) (Greening 71), Touray, McLaggon (Fry 71) Hood.
Cardiff Metropolitan
Lang, Rees (W.Evans 55), Morgan, Woolridge (C), Lewis, Williams (Snaith 68) E.Evans, McCarthy, Roscrow, Baker, Corsby
(Featured Image: Rhys Skinner)
