Pontypridd United’s wretched run continued on Sunday, as they were defeated at home by three goals to nil by Barry Town United.
An Aimee Deacon penalty and Holly Jenkins goal had the visitors two up at the break, and while Ponty pushed for goals in the second half, India Shanahan put the game to bed with a minute remaining.
The result leaves Pontypridd bottom of the Adran Premier on zero points. Barry remain in seventh, but now have a six point gap to the Dragons behind them.
Both teams elected to make one change each from their respective defeats last weekend. For Ponty, Nia Jones came out of the lineup, with Alana Murphy replacing her. Barry’s change was enforced, with the suspended Lucy Attwood being replaced by Caitlin Davies.
Coming into this, both Ponty and Barry knew how much a win would mean, not just for today, but for their seasons as a whole, and perhaps that played into how both performed early on. Chances came at a premium, with Aimee Deacon going the closest in the first 20 minutes, but Klaudia Wojtyczka stuck out a leg to make a save.
When you’re at the bottom, you need things to go your way, and the cards weren’t falling in Ponty’s favour. Erin Brennan’s goal kick fell straight to the unmarked Alana Murphy on the edge of the box, but with a big target to aim at, Murphy could only put her effort wide. A golden chance to go ahead.
With Ponty missing their best chance, Barry themselves were handed their best chance to score with a penalty, after Wojtyczka brought down Deacon. The young forward dusted herself down and dispatched her penalty right into the bottom corner. Barry ahead, and on the balance of play, they deserved to be.
The Dragons continued to battle and push themselves up the field. Jasmine Turner’s free kick forced Brennan into a low save, and Barry cleared their lines. How the Linnets would be rewarded for their defence, as they doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Deacon’s corner seemed to ricochet off Holly Jenkins’ knee, and the ball dribbled into the bottom corner. Jenkins and Barry won’t care how it happened, and the delight was clear for all to see.
It really wasn’t an over-exaggeration to say the second half would be the biggest half of football both Ponty and Barry had played so far this season.
To their credit, the hosts began the second half the brightest. A flurry of corners five minutes into the second half were all inviting ones, but no one in a white shirt could get on the end of the wicked deliveries.
As Ponty pushed up to try and get a goal, Barry could simply sit in and hit on the counter. India Shanahan raced through, and while her effort was saved, Taite Trivett could only hit the outside of the post from a tight angle. Another superb opportunity presented itself to Ponty, but Gracie Grosvenor, who was unmarked in the six-yard box, couldn’t connect with the cross.
Nothing was working for Jonathan Spyropoulos’ team, and their misery was further compounded when Barry found their third a minute before the end. Some battling work upfield allowed the ball to be played through to Shanahan, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
A first clean sheet of the season for Barry, in what was a deserved win. For Ponty, things are beginning to look bleak, and they need to perform in the second half of phase one.
Next weekend is cup weekend, and Pontypridd will host Aberaman. Barry were knocked out of the cup, so their next game will be in two weeks’ time at home to Aberystwyth Town.
Player of the Match: Aimee Deacon
I really feel Deacon is improving week upon week. She was very brave today against a physical Ponty defence and wasn’t afraid to run at anyone. Her vision was equally brilliant today and she helped bring her teammates into play. Another great performance.
Pontypridd United
Klaudia Wojtyczka, Shannon Hindmarsh, Clare Daley ©, Madison Williams (Jess Osborne 68’), Alana Murphy, Jasmine Turner, Ellie Gunney (Lucy Jones 73’), Katie Williams, Efa Preece Jones, Nicole Fenton (Gracie Grosvenor 62’), Sophie Topper
Unused Subs: Anna Phelps, Ffion Simmonds
Yellows: Katie Williams (24’), Madison Williams (45’)
Barry Town United
Erin Brennan, Lauren Harris, Holly Jenkins, Nia Davies, Caitlin Davies (India Shanahan 58’), Hana Bennett, Taite Trivett (Amelia Herbert 85’), Emily Freeman, Sienna Stone (Lucy Coles 73’), Chloe Tiley © (Angharad Beman 85’), Aimee Deacon
Unused Subs: Erin Harris
Goals: Aimee Deacon (32’ p), Holly Jenkins (45’), India Shanahan (89’)
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