Aberystwyth Town 0-1 Barry Town United: McLaggon header puts Barry back to winning ways
Barry Town United were back to winning ways as they narrowly defeated Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue.
Kayne McLaggon’s second-half header was enough for the visitors to claim all three points.
In a tight, scrappy affair, it was likely that one goal would be enough to separate the two sides, which proved to be the case as Kayne McLaggon got back amongst the goals trail.
Barry strengthened their grip on a top-six spot as they moved nine points clear of seventh with their first away win in four.
Aberystwyth’s poor home form continues having not won a Cymru Premier game at Park Avenue since August.
In a first half-starved of clear-cut chances for both sides, both Connor Roberts and Mike Lewis in goal were, for the most part, spectators.
The first opportunity came in the opening few minutes as Barry Town were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, only for Jon Hood to shoot over the bar.
Aberystwyth grew into the game and forced a chance as Lee Jenkins headed wide from a Wes Baynes cross.
With just over the quarter of the match gone, the home side had another opportunity courtesy of Baynes cross with Geoff Kellaway who headed off target.
Barry Town had a series of penalty appeals waved away by referee Simon Evans, with Kayne McLaggon going down softly in the area on both occasions.
The best chance of the first half came at the end of the first half.
Paulo Mendes met a cross into the box, but his shot was blocked by a resolute Barry Town defence.
The second half looked to follow much of the same pattern as the first, with neither side getting a foothold in the game until just over the hour mark.
Gavin Chesterfield’s men found the breakthrough, as Luke Cummings’ cross was met by Kayne McLaggon, heading into an empty net at the back post with Connor Roberts beaten.
Barry Town controlled much of the second half, reducing Aberystwyth to speculative efforts, with the home side’s captain Marc Williams trying his luck from distance, but was wide of the mark.
There were bizarre scenes at Park Avenue as the game reached the final ten minutes the floodlights came off.
With both management teams giving instructions to the players, the crowd waited in anticipation of the game to resume.
Fuelling ironic cheers from the away supporters, the floodlights returned to action and the game resumed.
Aberystwyth’s final chance came in the final stages of normal time. as another shot came in from captain Marc Williams.
This time a curling effort to the far post, matched by Barry Town goalkeeper Mike Lewis.
Barry Town hung on for a vital 3 points, bouncing back from their recent dip in form.
Aberystwyth Town: Connor Roberts, Wes Baynes, Stuart Jones, Lee Jenkins, Richard Ricketts, Geoff Kellaway, Paulo Mendes, Tom Price (Alex Boss 72), Joe Phillips (Luke Boundford 72), Pedro Vaz, Marc Williams.
Barry Town United: Mike Lewis, Luke Cummings, Luke Cooper, Chris Hugh, Evan Press, Jordan Cotterill (Momodou Touray 85), Clayton Green, Sion Spence, Keyon Reffell (Drew Fahiya 77), Kayne McLaggon, Jon Hood.
Attendance: 243
See how Barry Town United beat Aberystwyth here:
(Featured Image: Daley Chapman)