Port Talbot ran out 3-1 winners away to Barry Town United in crucial bottom half of the table clash in the Adran Premier
Manon Pearce gave the hosts the lead three minutes in, but goals from Courteney Thomas, Caitlin Owen, and Jess Denscombe gave the visitors a deserved and vital victory.
Barry got out the traps quickly and found themselves ahead in the third minute. Manon Pearce worked her way into the area and her cross quickly turned into an unintentional shot and was tipped into her own net by Emily Roberts.
Port Talbot responded very well to going down. Finding success down the wings throughout the half, and it was a wicked cross by Vicky Beddows which found the head of Courteney Thomas who guided the ball into the far corner to level proceedings.
The visitors then went ahead through a magnificent volley by Caitlin Owen. A corner was not cleared properly by Barry and the ball fell to Owen on the edge of the area. She had time to pick her spot and unleashed a powerful strike which ended up in the bottom corner.
Both teams did suffer injuries in the first half. Barry lost Pam Pelders while Port Talbot’s Courteney Thomas was forced off.
At the beginning of the second half, Barry had a glorious chance to equalise. Pearce played an excellent through ball to her attacking partner Faith Mulenga who was one-on-one with the keeper, but she dragged her effort just wide of the goal. The players and fans knew the hosts would not get many better chances than that.
The home side’s disappointment worsened six minutes later. Jess Denscombe collected the ball from a throw in and floated in a cross. However, Barry keeper Chelsea Herbert lost sight of the ball in the sun, and the ball sailed over her and into the far corner.
The third goal sucked the life out of Barry, and they did not have any real chances to score after that, and so Port Talbot saw out the rest of the game to seal their third victory of the season.
Port Talbot leap ahead of Barry in the table to sixth and Barry slide down to seventh.
Barry will now travel to Leckwith to take on Cardiff City next week, while Port Talbot travel to take on league leaders Swansea City.
Player of the Match – Vicky Beddows
Beddows was by far and away the best player on the pitch. She was always an outlet for her side and held up the ball superbly for the rest of the team. Add to this her wonderful assist she is fully deserving to be player of the match.
Barry: Chelsea Herbert (GK), Caitlin Marron, Holly Jenkins (Taite Trivett, 61’), Delia Ebbin, Pam Pelders (Rachel Currie, 44’), Megan Bowen (C), Grace O’Reilly (Hazel Lockwood, 75’), Anna Houghton, Mackenzie Olden, Manon Pearce, Faith Mulenga
Subs: Olivia Townsend, Sian Rees
Port Talbot: Emily Roberts (GK), Vicky Beddows, Terri Beddows, Chelsey Harris (C), Jesci Hare, Kirsty O’Donnell, Courteney Thomas (Becca Rees, 33’), Lauren Amor (Coryn Sexton, 67’), Jess Denscombe, Caitlin Owen, Maisy Fahey-Pennell
Yellow Cards: Caitlin Owen (90’)
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