Barry Town United 4-1 Cefn Druids: McLaggon brace puts Barry back into top four

Barry Town United moved back into the top four after defeating the Cefn Druids 3-1 at Jenner Park Stadium.

A first-half Kayne McLaggon brace added to by a Jacob Wise own goal and a sublime Sam Bowen strike ensured a fourth home victory of the season for the Linnets. 

Alex Darlington scored a goal to claw the margin to one early in the second-half but it wasn’t built on by the Ancients.

Gavin Chesterfield’s side were fully deserving of their victory after a comprehensive performance against the Druids.

The Druids were controlling the first quarter of the match and looked deadly on the counter attack.

However Clayton Green had the first meaningful opportunity as his bullet header went behind after meeting George’s cross. 

Moments later, the Druids were close to breaking the deadlock. A slipped cross from Josh Green found Ryan Kershaw who forced a point-blank save from Gould.

Barry were fluid in their attacks, firstly attacking on the flanks before going through the middle. 

A three-pass move saw Barry nip in front after a clinical finish from McLaggon. Evan Press sprayed to Mikey George who crossed in for McLaggon to touch home with a first-time finish.

McLaggon had his second goal of the afternoon in another simple move orchestrated by the Barry attack. Jordan Cotterill threaded through to the frontman who scored at the second attempt from a tight angle.

With the first chance of the second-half, the Druids pulled one back. Alex Darlington headed past Gould after meeting Brazel’s cross.

Barry’s two-goal advantage was restored in fortuitous fashion. A corner-kick was swung in and Wise turned the ball into his own net after attempting to clear. 

McLaggon, who hit double figures from his opening two goals, could have had an 11th goal. He met David Cotterill’s cross from close range but it went over the bar.

Another opportunity presented itself to the hosts as Green flicked a header at goal from Cotterill’s free-kick.

The game should have been put beyond reasonable doubt when Jordan Cotterill pounced on sloppy Druids defending but he powered his one-on-one over the bar. 

Substitute Rhys Abbruzzese almost inflicted further damage as he skilfully navigated his way past the defence but forced a save from the keeper. 

In search of a consolation goal, the Druids went close. Press cleared Brazel’s shot off the line after Gould committed himself to coming out to the attackers feet.

Bowen topped off Barry’s afternoon by weaving past a handful of Druids defenders before placing his shot under Jones.

Barry Town United: Josh Gould, Chris Hugh, Kayne McLaggon, Nat Jarvis (Josh Graham, 65), Jordan Cotterill (Theo Wharton, 85), David Cotterill (Rhys Abbruzzese, 85), Sam Bowen, Kyle Patten, Michael George, Clayton Green (C), Evan Press.

Goals: Kayne McLaggon 21, 39, Jacob Wise OG 59, Sam Bowen 90+4

Yellow Cards: Jordan Cotterill 52, Clayton Green 60, Josh Gould 79′

Cefn Druids: Mike Jones, Naim Arsan, Josh Green, Aaron Simpson, Harry Brazel, Alex Darlington, Niall Flint, Iwan Cartwright, Jonathan Taylor (Jack Weston, 62) Ryan Kershaw (Thomas Reilly, 74), Jacob Wise (Kieran Smith, 77)

Goals: Alex Darlington 48′

Yellow Cards: Aaron Simpson 42, Jonathan Taylor 49, Ryan Kershaw 54, Iwan Cartwright 64, Kieran Smith 88′

See how Barry defeated the Druids at Jenner Park Stadium here: