Barry Town United 0-2 Bala Town: Lakesiders claim first victory of the year
Bala Town recorded their first win in six games, as they claimed their first victory of 2019 thanks to a goal in each half from Andy Burns and Chris Venables in a win over Barry.
Burns, fired in the first goal of the game as Evan Horwood’s corner could only find the defender who unleashed a rocket of a strike into the top left-hand corner before Venables made sure of the three points with a late penalty.
Barry Town United’s start to the second period has seen them pick up two points from the fifteen available and picked up only their third home defeat in the last 14 months.
Chris Venables, who scored twice in their 3-2 defeat to Gavin Chesterfield’s men in August, almost scored within the first minute when he could only see his header brilliantly kept out by Mike Lewis before Hayes moments later tried the spectacular but his effort went wide of the goal.
The Lakesiders looked dangerous from set pieces all afternoon and Anthony Miley, who came in for the suspended Kieran Smith, found himself in a dangerous position but he couldn’t get the ball under control and his effort went wide.
Miley was involved again as another free-kick was crossed into his path, before knocking it down for the onrushing Evan Horwood, who saw his half volley bounce up and hit the side netting.
This seemed to wake Barry Town up and a good run from Mo Touray led to the attacker darting towards the edge of the area. He turned excellently inside and tried to curl his shot past Morris but Bala’s goalkeeper was equal to it and comfortably caught his effort.
However, Colin Caton’s men broke the deadlock after a good passage of play through defender Burns.
Hayes originally won the away side a corner after Lewis Cosslett brilliantly blocked the strikers’ effort. Horwood whipped it in and after Barry failed to clear their lines and Burns was given space and time to pick his spot, the Bala player unleashed his effort into the top left-hand corner.
Moments later Bala Town could have made it two, as Nathan Burke was set free but he could only see his effort sail wide before Hayes found himself one on one with Lewis but Barry Town’s number 1 directed it behind for a corner.
Gavin Chesterfield’s men, who had been outplayed throughout the first half, almost went into half time level. Jordan Cotterill was brought down on the edge of the box but got back up, before he hit a low shot that was only parried by Morris. It fell into the path of McLaggon who tried to slide home the equaliser but the Lakesiders’ goalkeeper managed to claim the ball at the second attempt.
With both teams pushing for a goal, it was the side from North Wales who got their second after Hayes was brought down by Luke Cooper in the penalty area. Chris Venables stepped up and sent Lewis the wrong way, sending his shot in the top left-hand corner to seal a 2-0 victory for the away side; their first away win since Boxing Day.
As for Barry Town, Gavin Chesterfield’s men have now failed to pick up three points since January’s win over Aberystwyth Town and could have got a consolation at the end when, not once but twice, substitute Sam Snaith was denied firstly by Morris before sending his shot wide.
Bala captain Venables hit the woodwork twice in five minutes, but the win was already sealed as Colin Caton’s men celebrated their 11th win of the season and head to Park Hall to take on TNS next Friday.
Barry Town: M. Lewis, P. Morgan, L. Cooper, L. Cosslett, C. Hugh, R. Patten, C. Green, Gerrard, 80) K. Mclaggon (Snaith, 75) M. Touray, J. Cotterill (C), D. Fahiya (Greening, 65)
Yellow Cards: Chris Hugh, Drew Fahiya and Luke Cooper
Bala Town: A. Morris (GK), A. Burns, S. Smith, A Miley, Stuart Jones Jr, A. Stephens, N. Burke, C. Venables (C), E. Horwood, H. Jones (Sheridan, 85) and M. Hayes
Yellow Card: Henry Jones.
Attendance: 107
(Featured Image: Rhys Skinner)
