Barry Town United 1-4 Bala Town: Chris Venables nets 200th Cymru Premier as Lakesiders secure European spot
01/05/2021 - Barry Town United 1-4 Bala Town © Will Cheshire
Chris Venables scored his 200th Cymru Premier goal, as Bala Town secured a Europa League spot with a 4-1 victory at Barry Town’s Jenner Park.
A powerful header from Antony Kay gave the Lakesiders an early lead, before being pegged back by Nathaniel Jarvis’ swift equaliser.
Cymru Premier top scorer Chris Venables then took centre stage, netting a superb hat-trick to seal the three points for Colin Caton’s side.
Bala Town playmaker Henry Jones shone for the visitors and put in an influential performance, as he proved a danger throughout the contest.
The victory sees the Lakesiders secure their place in the Europa League, as Penybont conceded late-on to claim a 2-2 draw at Caernarfon Town.
Gavin Chesterfield’s side lose further ground on fourth spot, as they now trail Bont by six points.
The hosts started on the front foot and had a glorious opportunity to take an early lead.
Captain Clayton Green put Rhys Kavanagh through, who rounded Alex Ramsay, but couldn’t find a team-mate when looking for a cut-back.
Visitors Bala responded well to the Linnets’ chance, as defender Jonny Spittle had a free header from Henry Jones’ corner, but his effort was saved by Lee Idzi.
Jones’ dangerous deliveries caused real problems for Chesterfield’s side, as Bala Town took the lead in the 9th minute.
A wicked corner was met by Kay, who powered a header past Idzi for the opening goal.
Barry Town responded excellently and found a swift equaliser just two minutes later.
Left-back Chris Hugh found space on the left to cross for striker Jarvis, who headed superbly into the top corner for his sixth goal of the season.
Having equalised in a frantic start, Barry had a chance to take the lead, as Green headed narrowly over from close range following a corner.
Both sides looked dangerous from set-pieces, as Hugh’s corner delivery was met by Evan Press, but the tenacious midfielder headed over in a golden chance for the Linnets.
It was then Bala’s turn to have a huge opportunity to regain the lead, as Smith crossed for Venables, whose header struck the woodwork before Will Evans headed the rebound wide.
The Lakesiders weren’t to be denied however, as Venables pounced on a mistake from Barry Town goalkeeper Idzi, tapping into an empty net to restore the visitors’ advantage and record his 200th goal in Wales’ top flight.
Caton’s side then had a huge chance to add to their lead, as Jones’ corner was met by Evans’ volley, which flew narrowly over the bar.
Jones was again involved in another opportunity for the visitors, finding space in the box to fire at goal, but his effort was heroically cleared off the line by Kyle Patten.
After a frantic first half of numerous chances for both sides, Bala Town went into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Looking to find an equaliser, Barry Town created an opening, as Green played Jarvis through, but the attacker lost his footing as he looked to strike at goal.
The Linnets were punished for not taking their chance, as Bala Town added to their lead in the 50th minute.
Venables beat the offside trap and drove into the box, before finishing with a superb strike into the top corner, for his 23rd goal of the season.
Caton’s side’s tails were up and could have added to their lead, when a swift counter saw Venables play Jones through, only for the playmaker to be denied twice by Idzi.
Jones, who was influential throughout, led another Lakesiders attack, as he had a deflected effort saved by Idzi.
Barry Town looked to get themselves back into the game by halving the deficit, but the visitors’ defence stood strong, reducing the Linnets to shots from distance, as Michael George tried his luck, but fired wide.
The Lakesiders continued to defend resolutely and managed the game well, as the hosts couldn’t force any chances.
In the dying minutes, Venables capped off a superb performance, as he rounded Idzi and fired into an empty net to secure his third goal.
After a frantic start at Jenner Park, Chris Venables’ hat-trick recorded another three points for Bala Town, as they secured their place in the Europa League.
Bala Town’s next fixture is a trip to Caernarfon Town, while Barry Town face the difficult test of welcoming Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Barry Town United: Lee Idzi, Chris Hugh (Rhys Abbruzzese 67’), Luke Cooper, Nathaniel Jarvis (Curtis Jemmett-Hutson 67’), Jordan Cotterill (Luke Cummings 67’), Theo Wharton, Rhys Kavanagh, Kyle Patten, Michael George, Clayton Green ©, Evan Press
Goals: Nathaniel Jarvis 11’
Yellow Cards: Clayton Green 90′
Bala Town: Alex Ramsay, Andrew Burns, Sean Smith, Anthony Stephens, Jonny Spittle, Will Evans, Henry Jones (Danny Gosset 89’), Antony Kay, Lassana Mendes (Liam Davies 89’), Jack Mackreth (Steven Leslie 89’), Chris Venables ©
Goals: Antony Kay 9’, Chris Venables 34’, 50’, 90′
