(Image: Rhys Skinner)
Barry Town will head into the winter break top of the league after Momodou Touray’s brace secured a 2-1 win against Aberystwyth at Jenner Park.
Results elsewhere, with Carmarthen beating Connah’s Quay 3-2 in the dying stages, mean Gavin Chesterfields men finish phase one in first place.
This is the first time since the 2011/2012 season that current Champions The New Saints haven’t been top of Phase One.
The result also means Aberystwyth have now lost six league games on the bounce heading into the winter break.
Barry started the game the stronger, racing into a one-nil lead after just two minutes, right back Macauley Southam-Halls crossing for Momodou Touray to grab his ninth goal of the season.
Barry continued their dominance and soon doubled their lead, thanks to the same combination of Southam-Hales and Touray, giving the latter his tenth goal of the season.
Aber took time to grow into the half but did threaten just before the half time whistle, with Joe Phillips testing Mike Lewis In the Barry goal.
(Image: Rhys Skinner)
Barry came out for the second half stronger and nearly made it three through Kayne Mclaggon, but his effort was cleared off the line by an Aber defender.
The Seasiders fought their way back into the game though, with Phillips and Ahmadi both testing Lewis in the Barry goal.
The away team were rewarded for their efforts after a Porya Ahmadi free-kick hit the top corner from 25 yards.
Aberystwyth pushed on for an equaliser and were denied by the post after Joe Phillips struck from the edge of the box.
Ahmadi nearly had his second a few minutes later, shooting just over the bar from a corner.
The home side weathered the storm and countered well, with Mclaggon seeing two great opportunities saved by Aber goalkeeper Terry McCormick in the final ten minutes.
Aber’s dreams of a late come back were ended when defender Alan Goodall was sent off for a second yellow in the dying stages.
The final whistle saw chants of “we are top of the league” ring out around the ground as news of Carmarthen’s late winner against The Nomads came through.
The visitors were less happy, after suffering their sixth league defeat on the bounce, and will look to the winter break as a chance to regroup.
Barry Town United
Lewis, Southam-Hales, Cooper (C), Watkins, Hugh, Greening, Patten, Fry (Press 87), McLaggon, Touray, Gerrard (Fahiya 69)
Aberystwyth Town
McCormick, Baynes, S. Edwards (Jenkins 60), Goodall, Wollacott (C), Kellaway, Mendes, Ahmadi, R.Edwards, Ruane, Phillips
(Featured Image: Rhys Skinner)
Mrs g moffat
Great reporting Dan Moffat