Gresford Athletic denied new Barry manager Lee Kendall a winning start with a 2-0 win at Jenner Park in the JD Welsh Cup. In a game lacking in quality it was the visitors who took their chances and booked a spot in the fourth round of the Welsh Cup.
After a hard fought and feisty but goal less first half Gresford grabbed two in the second. Charlie Mann getting the first after 63 minutes before Jacob Barrett made sure with the second in added time. Barry tried to get back into the game after the first goal but failed to produce many quality chances.
Gresford can look forward to the next round while Barry will need to bounce back to keep their push at the top of the Cymru South.
Gresford made a quick counter attack that saw the ball go behind the Barry defence and let Dominic Deacon in on goal. Barry keeper Mike Lewis was out quickly to claim.
Soon after Gresford tried the quick counter again this time with Samuel Spridgeon shooting wide.
Gresford were enjoying the better of the chances and Charlie Mann saw his shot from outside the box go straight at Mike Lewis.
Barry came back into the game and Kayne McLaggon’s shot needed a strong hand from Jonathon Hill-Dunt to put over the bar.
Evan Press and George Macready were both booked as they clashed after a foul by Press.
Gresford should have been one up going into half time. Macready heading over from close range when it looked easier to score.
Half Time: Barry 0-0 Gresford
Barry had the best of the early chances after the break. Evan Press trying from distance but putting his effort just wide of the post.
McLaggon tired to chip, the ball over the keeper but put the ball too high and it went over.
Dominic Deacon made a driving run into the Barry penalty area. He hit a shot across goal but it went just wide of the far post.
Soon after Gresford took the lead. Paul Johnson having space to shot and forcing a good save from Mike Lewis. Charlie Mann was first to the loose ball and he fired into the empty net.
Barry pushed forward and Gavin Beddard headed over before McLaggon’s attempted overhead kick went just wide.
With three minutes to go Barry should have been level. Chris Hugh with a pin point cross into the six yard box which found Curtis McDonald. McDonald headed over from close range with Barry’s best chance for an equaliser.
Gresford made sure of their win in added time as Jacob Barrett hit a low shot from range which nestled in the bottom corner of the goal.
Full Time: Barry 0-2 Gresford
Barry Town: Michael Lewis (G), Michael George, Chris Hugh, Luke Cooper, Kayne McLaggon (C), Troy Hiscock-Greening (Callum Sainty 69), Jordan Cotterill (Mo Djalo 86), Josh Graham (Gavin Beddard 59), Liam Warman (Curtis McDonald 59), Rhys Davies, Evan Press.
Yellow Cards: Josh Graham 20, Evan Press 33, Gavin Beddard 90+4.
Gresford Athletic: Jonathan Hill-Dunt (G), James Smith, George Macready, Sam Pickering, Paul Johnson, Joshua Griffiths (C), Simon Smith (Nathan Williams 23), Ellis Turner, Dominic Deacon, Samuel Spridgeon (Jacob Barrett 72), Charlie Mann.
Goals: Charlie Mann 63, Jacob Barrett 90+3.
Yellow Cards: Paul Johnson25, George Macready 34.
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