Alhagi Touray Sisay’s goal was enough to separate the sides as Haverfordwest County ran out 1-0 winners against Barry Town, but their victory will be clouded by controversy.
Touray Sisay got the goal two minutes into the second half, and while the visitors controlled the vast majority of the game and deserved the win.
Barry will look at a controversial no-goal decision by the officials, which could play a huge part in their season.
The victory moves the Bluebirds onto 25 points and above Barry, who drop to tenth, six behind Connah’s Quay, who currently occupy the final relegation place.
Haverfordwest certainly started the brighter of the two teams, and Touray Sisay had plenty of chances to put them in front in the opening half-hour. One effort was well saved by Kelland Absalom, another was headed just over the bar, while another he somehow couldn’t convert from six yards after a fumble from Absalom.
How the visitors didn’t score in the first half will remain a mystery, but Barry knew things had to change and began to put the pressure on County. Rhys Abbruzzese got the crowd going with an effort from 35-yards out, which look destined for the top corner, but Lee Idzi did well to tip it over the bar.
Rhys Kavanagh then had a chance himself with an incredibly mazy run into the box, but his shot was blocked heroically by the Bluebirds defence, and somehow the first half ended 0-0.
But Touray Sisay made up for his misses in the first half by getting a goal less than two minutes into the second half.
Corey Shephard ran through the heart of the Barry midfield before playing a through ball into the path of Touray Sisay, who slid the ball through the legs of the oncoming Absalom, and County were deserving of their lead.
Ten minutes after the goal came the most controversial moment of the game.
A free-kick was whipped in by Jordan Cotterill, and Clayton Green’s powerful header hit the corner of bar and post and bounced down before Idzi punched it up onto the bar, and Barry were convinced it had crossed the line, but the officials were unconvinced, leaving Barry players and fans incandescent with rage.
To make matters worse for Barry, Cotterill was given his marching orders by the referee, after receiving a second yellow card for a cynical challenge on Dylan Rees.
Haverfordwest closed out the match in style, controlling possession and getting to every loose ball to claim a vital and deserved victory.
Barry will now travel to Connah’s Quay next week which is no doubt a must-win match. Haverfordwest meanwhile will welcome Cefn Druids to West Wales.
Player of the Match: Alhagi Touray Sisay
Corey Shephard deserves an honourable mention for running the midfield at times, but Touray Sisay was incredible today. He bullied the Barry defenders who didn’t have a plan for him, and he thoroughly deserved his goal.
Barry Town United
Kelland Absalom (GK), Kayne McLaggon (C), Jordan Cotterill, Rhys Kavanagh, Marcus Day (Aron Davies, 46’), Theo Wharton, Curtis McDonald, Rhys Abbruzzese (Chris Hugh, 90’), Harry Jones (Michael George, 75’), Luke Cooper, Clayton Green (Callum Sainty, 75’)
Unused Subs: Jaedyn Brana(GK), Evan Press, Mervyn Bennett
Yellow Cards: Jordan Cotterill (61’), Rhys Kavanagh (90’)
Red Cards: Jordan Cotterill (70’)
Haverfordwest County
Lee Idzi (GK), Jazz Richards, Elliot Scotcher (Alaric Jones, 72’), Ricky Watts, Corey Shephard, Jack Wilson, Dylan Rees (C), Alhagi Touray Sisay (Ben Fawcett, 87’), Kyle Patten, Jack Williams, Jordan Davies
Unused Subs: Wojciech Gajda (GK), Kurtis Rees, Ryan George, Iori Humphreys, Caleb-Grant Hughes
Yellow Cards: Elliot Scotcher (67’)
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