Port Talbot ended a run of five straight defeats as they stunned Barry Town at Victoria Road in the Adran Premier.
Despite strong pressure from Barry, a goal in either half gave the Steelwomen their third win against Barry this season.
Lauren Amor struck from the spot after 39 minutes holding her nerve after having to re take the spot kick. Courtney Thomas extended the lead three minutes after halftime. Barry dominated large parts of the game but were unable to break Port Talbot’s defence with captain Chelsey Harris producing several vital tackles and blocks.
The win draws Port Talbot three points behind Barry with the teams in third and second respectfully. Port Talbot are now five points ahead of bottom-placed TNS.
Barry controlled much of the early part of the game as they looked to move the ball around the ground quickly. Port Talbot were organised and were counter attacking with pace.
The games first big chance fell to Manon Pearce as she capitalised on a miss kick from Chelsey Harris. Pearce found herself though on goal but her rolled effort hit the outside of the post.
Despite Barry’s pressure the host had a good opportunity soon after. A mix up in the Barry defence allowed Caitlin Owen a chance to get in on goal. Barry keeper Erin Brennen was out quickly to collect the ball as the two players collided.
Barry soon had another big chance as Taite Trivett’s quality ball across the box found Pearce. Pearce with a side footed effort sent the ball skyward with the goal at her mercy.
Lauren Harris won the ball in the middle of the park and found Pearce. Pearce was able to set up Grace O’Reilly but she hit her shot wide.
It was beginning to look like Barry may rue their missed chances and soon they did. With the ball bouncing around the Barry box it struck the arm of Lauren Harris and the referee pointed to the spot.
Lauren Amor stepped up and fired under Brennen but the ref give the instruction to re take the kick. Hold her nerve she went to the same spot and got the same outcome.
Half Time: Port Talbot Town 1-0 Barry Town.
Barry’s task of getting back into the game was made doubly hard as Port Talbot scored again three minutes after the restart.
From a free kick on the left the ball was swung into the near post. Courteney Thomas was there to met it with a deft header into the goal.
Barry had to go for it and that allowed Port Talbot to soak up the pressure and try to hit Barry on the break.
Mackenzie Olden saw a shot blocked and out for a corner. Hazel Lockwood got the ball from the corner but headed wide.
Barry continued to press forward with O’Reilly and Pearce seeing efforts go wide or get blocked by a stubborn Port Talbot defence. Chelsey Harris throwing her body into tackles and blocking shots.
Trivett shot wide from distance and Lauren Harris tried from the half way line way but neither effort troubled Roberts.
Barry kept going right until the final whistle but Port Talbot were not going to be broken.
Full time: Port Talbot Town 2-0 Barry Town.
Port Talbot Town: Emily Roberts (G), Becca Rees (Freya Davies 74), Cerys Bevan, Chelsey Harris (C), Courteney Thomas, Jess Hammett, Lauren Amor (Kirsty O’Donnell 75), Jess Denscombe, Maisy Fahey-Pennell, Caitlin Owen, Megan Chambers.
Goals: Lauren Amor 39 Pen, Courteney Thomas 48.
Barry Town United: Erin Brennan (G), Lauren Harris (C) (Delia Ebbin 71), Faith Mulenga, Megan Bowen, Hollie Jenkins, Hazel Lockwood, Grace O’Reilly, Anna Houghton, Mackenzie Olden, Manon Pearce, Taite Trivett (Olivia Townsend 83).
Yellow Cards: Lauren Harris 37.
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