Barry Town United 0-0 Newtown: Entertaining stalemate at Jenner Park

Barry Town and Newtown played out an entertaining stalemate in a game of numerous chances at Jenner Park. 

In an end-to-end contest, both sides went close to breaking the deadlock to claim the three points, with Nathaniel Jarvis and James Davies going close in the first-half respectively. 

In the second period, Kayne McLaggon and Sam Bowen went close for the hosts, while Nick Rushton could have opened the scoring for the Robins. 

The result is the second draw between the two sides this season, after last month’s 1-1 draw at Latham Park. 

Gavin Chesterfield’s Barry Town are now without a win in five, while Newtown record their fourth draw of the season. 

The game started at a high tempo, as Newtown forced an early chance through Nick Rushton. 

The striker was played through after Ryan Edwards dispossessed Sam Bowen in midfield, only for his effort at goal to be saved by Mike Lewis. 

Barry Town then had a chance of their own, as Jordan Cotterill’s corner found Evan Press free in the box. The latter’s header bounced into the grateful arms of Dave Jones. 

The visitors had a positive spell mid-way through the first half, as Ryan Edwards, operating at right-back, crossed for Sean McAllister, who headed over the bar. 

The Robins found joy down the left, as Neil Mitchell, Jordan Evans and McAllister were finding pockets of space. 

Despite having the most of possession, Newtown failed to force Lewis in the Barry Town goal into a major save. 

The hosts went close to punishing a mix-up between Kieran Mills-Evans and George Hughes, as Kayne McLaggon won back possession deep in the Robins half. 

The striker played in Nathaniel Jarvis, who cut inside and struck a fierce effort onto the crossbar. 

A huge opportunity then fell to Newtown’s James Davies, who scored in the 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture between the two sides. 

The summer signing from Cefn Druids raced through on goal, only to be denied by a fantastic last-ditch challenge by Luke Cooper, ensuring the score at the break was goalless. 

Much like the first-half, Newtown started on the front foot and appealed for a penalty just minutes after the restart. 

Midfielder George Hughes was played in by Nick Rushton and went down under the challenge of Luke Cooper. The referee adjudged the challenge to be a fair one. 

The Robins forced another chance, as James Davies combined with Rushton, who fired just wide from inside the box. 

Barry Town then grew into the half, with playmaker Jordan Cotterill driving at the Newtown box, before having an effort blocked superbly by Craig Williams. 

The Linnets’ left-back, Chris Hugh, delivered a brilliant ball for Kayne McLaggon, but the striker uncharacteristically couldn’t turn the ball home. 

In an end-to-end spell, Newtown playmaker Neil Mitchell found space in the box to fire an effort at goal, only for Mike Lewis to pull off a terrific save. 

Another opportunity to open the scoring fell, this time to Barry’s Sam Bowen, who weaved his way through the box, but fired over from close range. 

Barry Town’s talisman, Kayne McLaggon was then played in on the left. The striker cut inside and fired at goal only for Dave Jones to pull off a fantastic save. 

A late opportunity for Newtown’s George Hughes was in the form of a free-kick from the edge of the box, but his powerful effort was blocked well by the wall. 

Despite the introduction of attacking players like Curtis Hutson, Tyrone Ofori and Jamie Breese, the deadlock couldn’t be broken. 

Barry Town now face a trip to champions Connah’s Quay Nomads, while Newtown travel to Bala Town in their next fixture. 

Barry Town United: Mike Lewis, Chris Hugh, Luke Cooper, Kayne McLaggon, Nat Jarvis, Jordan Cotterill, Luke Cummings, Theo Wharton, Curtis McDonald, Sam Bowen, Evan Press.

Yellow Cards: Curtis McDonald 12, Sam Bowen 30, Theo Wharton 31’

Newtown: Dave Jones, Sean McAllister, Kieran Mills-Evans, James O’Neill, Neil Mitchell, Nick Rushton, Jordan Evans, James Davies, Craig Williams, Ryan Edwards, George Hughes

You can re-live the action from Jenner Park with our live blog below:

(Featured Image: Mike James)