A Kayne McLaggon inspired Barry triumphed over Abergavenny 5-2, in what was an entertaining night at Jenner Park.
McLaggon scored two and there was one each for Josh Graham, Jordan Cotterill and Liam Warman. Abergavenny’s goals came through Ben Watkins and Drew Heffernan.
The result sees Barry move up to sixth in the Cymru South, while Abergavenny are ninth.
Barry started the game well, as many would expect. Five minutes in, Callum Sainty weaved his way into the box from the wing, only for Efu Kazadi to produce an excellently timed sliding tackle to thwart any danger.
15 minutes in, they had their first. Chris Hugh showed tremendous perseverance to chase a loose ball and he knocked it back to Kayne McLaggon. The captain was bought down in the area, but while he was going down, he managed to lay it off to Josh Graham, who passed it into the near corner.
Ten minutes after the first, the second came. A corner wasn’t cleared by the visitors, and after a bit of pinball in the area, Hugh played it back to McLaggon, who proded his effort into the far corner, to double the lead.
A few nervy moments followed for the hosts defensively. Chances fell to Rhys Tandy and Norton Ferreira, but a combination of poor shots and good saves from Mike Lewis kept their two-goal lead.
McLaggon then got his second goal six minutes from half time to diminish any fears of an Abergavenny comeback. The captain timed his run perfectly to collect a through ball, and he came out on top in a one-on-one battle with Suleimane Susso, as Jenner Park applauded their master marksman.
On the stroke of half time, Jordan Cotterill got in on the act. A free kick was worked well from the wing to the box, with the ball ending up at the feet of Cotterill. Susso got his hands on his powerful effort, but unfortunately for the Abergavenny keeper, it wasn’t enough, and the ball ended up in the bottom.
Abergavenny made three subs at half time and five minutes after the restart, they got one back. A corner was floted all the way to the back post where it found Drew Heffernan. The sub crossed it back into the area and found an unmarked Ben Watkins, who rose highest to nod past Lewis.
The Abergavenny goal certainly kicked the game into a different gear, with both sides showing good attacking initiative. Both will thank their defenders for keeping the scores as they were.
As the game looked destined to fizzle out, it kicked back into life again in the final ten minutes.
A defensive mix up with ten minutes to go allowed Liam Warman, who was in acres of space in the box, to take his time and pick his spot, as Barry scored their fifth.
Three minutes later, Abergavenny responded. Another cross into the area was headed in, this time by Heffernan, and the deficit was reduced to three again.
And 5-2 is how it finished. The Barry faithful will be delighted to score five but will also be wary that they need to improve defensively if they are to go up this season. Abergavenny will also be happy with their second half performance, after a torrid first half.
Player of the Match: Kayne McLaggon
What can’t Kayne McLaggon do? He can finish, hold the ball, beat his man with pace, his vision is superb, and all of his qualities were on show tonight. A tremendous performance
Barry Town
Mike Lewis (GK), Michael George (Mervyn Bennett, 85’), Chris Hugh (Rhys Davies, 85’), Callum Sainty (Aiden Lewis, 65’), Curtis McDonald, Kayne McLaggon (C) (Sam Johnson, 85’), Jordan Cotterill, Josh Graham, Liam Walsh, Drew Fahiya (Liam Warman, 65’), Evan Press
Unused Subs: Cameron Clarke (GK), Mo Djalo
Goals: Josh Graham (15’), Kayne McLaggon (25’, 39’), Jordan Cotterill (45’), Liam Warman (80’)
Yellow Cards: Liam Walsh (37’), Jordan Cotterill (87’)
Abergavenny Town
Suleimane Susso (GK), Ben Watkins, Jac Evans (C) (Drew Heffernan, 46’), Luke Williams (Curtis Methven, 46’), Efu Kazadi (Jack Evans, 82’), Ross Davies, Rhys Tandy, Josh Bell (James Young, 46’), Greg Preece (Joseph Ogugua, 81’), Daniel MacDonald, Norton Ferreira
Goals: Ben Watkins (50’), Drew Heffernan (83’)
Yellow Cards: Jac Evans (30’), Ben Watkins (61’), Norton Ferreira (90’)
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