Barry Town United 0-0 Cliftonville: Stalemate at Leckwith as Barry shut out Reds
Barry Town United and Cliftonville could not be separated as the two played to a goalless first leg at Leckwith Stadium.
On their return to European football after a 16-year exile, a crowd of 2106 witnessed a goalless draw.
The better chances went to Cliftonville who were more composed on the night, but could not break down the Barry rearguard.
Cliftonville had a penalty turned down and had four good opportunities to break the deadlock.
Barry did have a select number of chances but Richard Brush was untested in the Cliftonville goal, with Barry frustrating in the final third.
Goalkeeper Mike Lewis made a number of saves to keep his side in the tie. Defender Luke Cooper also impressed in a commanding performance for Barry.
The draw makes it all to play for in the second leg, with Barry avoided an away goal from Cliftonville.
Levi Ives tried to cause problems down the left flank early on but Luke Cooper dealt with the Cliftonville full-back well.
The away side looked more composed in possession and had more sharpness about them.
Clayton Green had the first shot of the game but his effort was a speculative one as it sailed over the bar.
Forward Rory Donnelly went closest for the visitors in the first half. The forward upon his return to South Wales saw his header goes inches over after Gary Breen’s cross.
Cliftonville captain Chris Curran hit a first-time strike at Mike Lewis who blocked with his body.
Paddy Mclaughin’s side appealed for a penalty after Connor McMenamin’s cross was blocked by Luke Cooper, but the referee waved away the protests.
Jonathan Hood’s dipping volley was Barry’s best of the half after Cliftonville’s clearance could only fall to the midfielder who hit his effort first-time.
The NIFL Premiership side went into the break as the strongest side, boasting a majority of the chances and possession.
Cliftonville fans thought they were celebrating an opener just over the hour mark but Conor McMenamin hit his effort into side netting.
The deadlock wen close to being broken twice in quick succession. McMenamin curled an effort just past the post with Mike Lewis beaten. A minute later Rory Donnelly had a similar opportunity as his strike skimmed just wide.
Substitute Drew Fahiya fed captain Jordan Cotteril the ball in a central position but the Barry midfield blazed his shot over.
Neither side could must up a real attempt in the final quarter of the match as tired legs showed in the Cardiff sun.
Barry Town United: Lewis, Hugh, Cooper, Patten (Fahiya 73), McLaggon, Cotterill (C) (Fry 82), Cummings, Compton (Greening 73), Hood, Green, Press
Cliftonville: Brush, McDermott (Maguire 95), Ives, Breen, Curran (C), Harkin, Donnelly, Bagnall, Doherty (Gormley 79) McMenamin (Curran 84), Gorman
(Featured Image: Matthew Lofthouse)
