Aberystwyth Town back to winning ways as Lleucu Mathias brace beats Barry Town
Barry Town United v Aberystwyth Town in Adran Premier League at Jenner Park on 19th November 2023. Credit: Perry Dobbins.
A brace from Lleucu Mathias helped Aberystwyth Town end their three-game losing streak in the league, as they defeated Barry Town United 2-0.
Both of Mathias’ goals came in the first half, and despite some pressure from the Linnets at the start of the second, Aber were in full control throughout the contest.
The win means that Aber move back into the top four, while Barry stay in seventh place.
Barry manager Stevie McCarthy-Campbell chose the exact same eleven that started their last game; a 3-0 win away to Pontypridd United.
Gavin Allen made two changes from Aber’s last league game, which was a 4-3 defeat away to TNS. Lily Moralee-Hughes and Imogen Scourfield dropped to the bench, and in their places were Niamh Duggan and Modlen Gwynne.
To say conditions at Jenner Park were blustery would be a severe understatement. The barmy weather certainly made for a difficult opening period for both teams, with neither able to get into their groove.
Aberystwyth did control the ball better and tried to find openings, but nothing was coming off early on. For hosts Barry, they looked very dangerous down the wings through Sienna Stone and Taite Trivett, but neither were able to get a shot on goal.
Midway through the half, Bethan Roberts sustained a serious-looking injury, which brought a stoppage of around ten minutes to the contest. There certainly didn’t look like to be any contact between her and another player, but Roberts looked in pain.
After a long delay, you never know how both teams will react, but Aber came out and reacted the better and scored two quick goals. A corner found Gwenllian Jones at the far stick. She hooked a cross back into the box which evaded the grasp of Erin Brennan, and instead, Lleucu Mathias was able to bundle in at the far post.
The youngster would only have to wait four minutes to add her second. Amy Jenkins managed to thread a ball perfectly through the Barry defence and right into the path of Mathias. As she raced through for a one-on-one showdown with Brennan, Mathias took her time before placing the ball delicately into the bottom corner.
The Seasiders were in the ascendency, but they were almost pegged back immediately. Aimee Deacon’s shot from range struck the post, but as it bounced out, almost snuck in off the back of goalkeeper Margot Farnes.
It was a let-off for Aber, but they went into the break with a well-deserved two-goal advantage.
Barry had perhaps ended the first half the better side, and they started the second half on fire.
A breakaway from an Aber corner was led by Deacon, and her pass set through Trivett. Instead of taking a few more touches before shooting inside the box, the winger elected to try her arm from distance, and the ball sailed over the bar.
Minutes later they went even closer. Deacon was once again the architect as she sent a cross into the box, but somehow, Caitlin Davies couldn’t convert from five yards.
After those chances, Aber really got back in control and dictated the game. Barry were pushing, but the visitors never looked under real pressure and never looked like squandering their clean sheet.
The second half was certainly quieter, but no one in Green and Black will care, as they took all three points back to West Wales.
These two will next be in action in two weeks’ time in the Adran Trophy. Barry will travel to face Adran North side Y Felinheli, while Aberystwyth will host Connah’s Quay.
Player of the Match: Libby Isaac
Many good performances in that Aberystwyth team, but I thought Libby Isaac was great. In the heart of the defence, she looked composed on the ball, while also positioning herself well and thwarting Barry’s quick forwards from getting in behind. Certainly, Isaac is one of the most underrated players in this league.
Barry Town United
Erin Brennan, Lauren Harris, Holly Jenkins, Nia Davies (India Shanahan 46’), Caitlin Davies, Hana Bennett, Taite Trivett, Emily Freeman, Sienna Stone, Chloe Tiley ©, Aimee Deacon
Unused Subs: Lucy Coles, Amelia Herbert, Erin Harris, Angharad Beman
Yellows: Taite Trivett (56’)
Aberystwyth Town
Margot Farnes, Lucie Gwilt, Rebecca Mathias, Bethan Roberts (Imogen Scourfield 28’), Niamh Duggan, Libby Isaac, Ffiona Evans, Gwenllian Jones (Lily Moralee-Hughes 60’), Amy Jenkins ©, Modlen Gwynne, Lleucu Mathias
Unused Subs: Ella Thomas, Gwenllian Mason, Tirion Sedgwick
Goals: Lleucu Mathias (34’, 38’)
