Barry Town United 0-1 Penybont: Snaith strike sees Bont leapfrog Barry

Sam Snaith returned to Jenner Park to haunt his former club as he scored the only goal in Penybont’s 1-0 victory over Barry Town.

Snaith, who made played four times for Barry, scored his second goal in 15 appearances for his new employers as they strengthened their grip on a top six spot.

Quite frankly, the closely-contested match was longing for a moment of that kind. 

Rhys Griffiths’ sides valiant victory now puts them ahead of Town and they still possess a crucial game in hand over Gavin Chesterfield’s side

Over the course of the evening, a high-tempered ambience arose as both sides hustled, harried and clashed right the way to the final whistle.

The visitors initially set the tone, carving out a fair share of chances to ask questions of Town’s Michael Lewis from the off.

Following an early Penybont breakthrough, Mael Davies released a low strike to call Lewis into action though he saved comfortably.

Soon on, Davies looked to have opened the scoring as he latched onto a loose ball and bundled it into the back of the net. However, referee Iwan Griffith sought to disallow the goal, rightfully stating that Lewis had been fouled by the midfielder.

Shortly after, Davies would be in the spotlight of the action once more.

A precise delivery from lively forward Kostya Georgievsky duly met the 22-year old who had found himself unmarked in the Barry Town area. Frustratingly though, Davies was unable to dispatch the ball from his feet quickly enough and Lewis promptly colleted.

Whilst few genuine chances were conjured as the first half grew on, the pugnacious manner of proceedings thoroughly compensated for the distinct lack of attacking conviction.

Time and time again, the combative sides came together and set off a real atmosphere of fierce-natured hostility under the floodlights.

But as the referee’s whistle subsequently signalled the conclusion of a gritty, unyielding first half of football, you could sense that both managers wanted much more.

Linnets boss Gavin Chesterfield was first to elect from the sidelines as he brought on former Cardiff City academy winger Jamie Bird on in place of Robbie Patten.

This was evidently an indicator of Chesterfield’s ambition to unearth an elusive goal and, although that failed to come to fruition, Bird was a real menace upon his introduction.

The 23-year old gave the visitors a host of problems with his dynamism, energy and willingness as he thrust extra momentum into the game and stretched Bont’s backline on numerous occasions.

Barry began the second half much different to how they fared in the game’s early stages. 

Gifted playmaker Jordan Cotterill embodied this as he coolly crafted a through ball into the path of Rhys Kavanagh who raced beyond the defence in pursuit but Penybont’s Ashley Morris clasped the ball just in time.

Rather fittingly, it was Bird who came closest to firing Town into the ascendancy.

A quick break from the hosts released the threatening Rhys Kavanagh down the flank, who bombed forward with exuberance and speed before invitingly laying the ball off to Bird.

Agonisingly though, the winger could not capitalise as he lashed effort over.

(Featured Image: John Smith/FAW)