Aberystwyth Town battled from an early setback to defeat Barry Town United 2-1 at Jenner Park in the Adran Premier.
With a strong wind at Jenner Park, Mackenzie Olden gave Barry the lead after five minutes. It came just after Aber had been on the front foot. A bizarre goal early into the second half from Crays Davies levelled the game. Flavia Jenkins got the winner after 86 minutes.
Aber started well and put Barry under pressure in the early moments of the game. Winning throw ins deep into the Barry half they created the first chance of the game when Caroline Cooper shot wide from outside the area.
Despite Aber’s good start it was Barry that took the lead. Barry’s Mackenzie Olden won the ball just outside the box and then ran into the space behind the defence. With Aber keeper Ffion Ashman closing down, Olden rolled the ball into the corer of the goal.
Aber were soon trying to find a way back into the game. Crays Davies was able to break past the Barry defence and create a shooting opportunity but she shot wide of the goal. With her teammate in the box, she may have been better off trying to put a ball across goal.
A cross into the box from Davies looked to be collected by Chelsea Herbert but she lost the ball in the tricky conditions. Amy Jenkins was quick to try and score but her effort went wide.
Davies forced a save from Herbert soon after shooting at goal from a free-kick 30 yards out, the shot was straight at Herbert but given the windy conditions, it was not straightforward.
The visitors started the second half well and had the first chance. Winning a free-kick for handball Caroline Cooper went for goal with a looping effort that ended on the roof of the net.
Aber kept the pressure on and soon Davies was played into space inside the box. From the left-hand side of the area, she shot at goal but a good save from Herbert denied her a goal.
The pressure told and it was Davies who got the goal. Getting the ball from Ffiona Evans out on the right, Davies sent a cross towards the far post which seemed to surprise everyone at Jenner Park as it went in the top corner.
Soon Aber had the ball in the net again. Davies heading in from a cross but the flag was up.
Barry had a good chance to retake the lead when Manon Pearce blocked Ashman’s kick but she couldn’t get to the ball in time.
Mackenzie Olden put in a good cross that was met by Taite Trivett. Trivett couldn’t direct her header at goal and the ball went wide.
Olden had another good chance when she cut in from the right and curled a shot at the top corner. Ffion Ashman had to be alert and tip over the bar.
As the game was drawing to a close it could have gone either way with both side creating chances.
Barry claimed for a penalty when Manon Pearce went down in the box but the referee waved away their protests.
With four minutes to play Aber got the winning goal. After being unable to clear the ball, Flavia Jenkins got on to a loose ball and ran into the box firing a low drive into the bottom corner to give her side the win.
Aberystwyth Town manager Gavin Allen said: “As a manager, I couldn’t be happier with the response & attitude from all players & staff so far this season.
“We’re halfway through the first phase & feeling very positive that we can achieve our goals for the year. Great to see our hard work paying off in the league table.”
Barry Town: Chelsea Herbert (G), Olivia Townsend (Grace O’Reilly 70), Holly Jenkins, Delia Ebbin, Rachel Currie, Megan Bowen, Mackenzie Olden, Anna Houghton (Hazel Lockwood 33), Taite Trivett (Sian Rees 81), Manon Pearce, Lauren Harris (C).
Goals: Mackenzie Olden 5,
Aberystwyth Town: Ffion Ashman (G), Josie Pugh (Kelly Thomas 45), Rebecca Mathias, Elin Jones, Ffiona Evans, Kelsey Thomas (C), Libby Isaac (Hannah Pusey 55), Flavia Jenkins, Amy Jenkins (Gwenllian Jones 70), Carys Davies, Caroline Cooper.
Goals: Carys Davies 51, Flavia Jenkins 86′
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