Barry Town United stunned Cardiff Met by claiming a 4-2 win at Jenner Park, their first win of the season.
Amy Long had put Met ahead inside three minutes, but Aimee Deacon equalised seconds later. More first half goals from India Shanahan and Holly Jenkins had Barry in a commanding position. Grace Batsford was sent off at the beginning of the second half but Met got back into the contest through Faith Mulenga. However, a late goal from Taite Trivett sealed all three points.
The result moves Barry off the foot of the table and into seventh place, two points and one place behind Cardiff Met.
Barry made two changes from the defeat to Swansea University in last week’s Welsh Cup clash. Nia Davies and Aimee Deacon coming in for Chloe Jones and Angharad Beman. Met made four changes to their cup defeat to Swansea City. The most notable absentee was Emily Bayliss, who is the league’s top assister.
It took only three minutes for the first goal to go in, and it went Met’s way. As Barry tried to clear the ball, it deflected off Erin Murray and high into the air. It landed at the feet of Amy Long in the box, and she took a touch before guiding the ball into the bottom corner. A bizarre goal indeed.
However, Barry would only be behind for less than a minute. As soon as they kicked off again, they moved the ball forward with pace, with it eventually being fed through to Deacon. One-on-one with Charlotte Smith in the Archers goal, she calmly dispatched the ball into the bottom corner.
With their tails up, Barry began to dominate the tie, and they were deservedly in front on the 15-minute mark. Taite Trivett dribbled past Leah Samuel and put in a wicked low cross into the area. Lurking at the far stick was India Shanahan, and she put the ball away to claim her first for the club.
Confidence around Jenner Park was growing with each passing minute. Lucy Attwood hit the bar with a free kick and Trivett saw her half-volley go wide, but they would find their third shortly after the flurry of chances. Deacon’s corner finding the head of Holly Jenkins, who nodded low and powerfully past Smith.
The Archers coaching staff were furious, with each individual barking orders at their team, who had wilted under the Linnets’ pressure.
They were lucky not to be behind by more at the break. Smith was forced to make a good low save from Trivett, before Chloe Tiley hit the bar with a marvellous strike from range. At half-time, Barry looked like a team in full control.
Barry’s efforts at the beginning of the second half were made easier when Grace Batsford was shown a second yellow card for an unnecessary challenge. The dismissal certainly changed the way the Archers were set up, and that allowed the home side to control the game.
However, out of nowhere, Met pulled one back. Erin Brennan fumbled the ball, allowing Amy Long to knock the ball back to former Barry player Faith Mulenga, who curled the ball into an empty net. Met couldn’t, could they?
Well, with Trivett on the pitch, Barry kept up their domination. The winger was everywhere, covered every blade of grass, and was always an outlet for her side. Therefore, it was fitting six minutes before the end she wrapped the game up. Lauren Harris’ searching ball forward found her, and she cut inside before squeezing the ball beneath Smith.
Even though there were nine minutes of added time, Barry didn’t panic, and held on to claim a priceless win.
Next week sees Barry travel to Cardiff City Stadium to take on Cardiff City, while Met will host winless Pontypridd United.
Player of the Match: Taite Trivett
There were so many good players in yellow today, but Trivett gets the nod from me. Skillful, powerful, clinical, she had it all. Will go down as one of the most standout performances this season, she was that good.
Barry Town United
Erin Brennan, Lauren Harris, Holly Jenkins, Nia Davies, Hana Bennett, Taite Trivett, India Shanahan (Sienna Stone 70’), Emily Freeman, Lucy Attwood, Chloe Tiley © (Caitlin Davies 72’), Aimee Deacon (Lucy Coles 87’)
Unused Subs: Erin Harris, Lucy Coles
Goals: Aimee Deacon (4’), India Shanahan (16’), Holly Jenkins (25’), Taite Trivett (86’)
Yellows: Chloe Tiley (66’)
Cardiff Met
Charlotte Smith, Sophie Davidson (Casey Daniels 73’), Leah Samuel (Sally Grimm 46’), Chelsea Cochrane, Grace Corne, Anna Houghton, Amy Long, Grace Batsford, Ingrid Ådland, Erin Murray ©, Faith Mulenga
Unused Subs: Daisy Farrow, Casey Daniels, Lauren Payne, Delia Ebbin
Goals: Amy Long (3’), Faith Mulenga (59’)
Yellows: Grace Batsford (27’)
Reds: Grace Batsford (51’)
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