Barry Town 0-3 Pontypridd United: Gavin Allen guides Dragons to win in first game
Barry Town and Pontypridd United clash in Phase One of the Genero Adran Premier. (Image: Chwarae Sports Agency)
New Pontypridd manager Gavin Allen saw his side gain a huge win over Barry Town in his first game in charge. New Barry First team coach Jonathan Jones suffers defeat in his first game leading the Linnets.
Just 15 minutes into the game and Ben Ahmun gave the visitors the lead in what was a scrappy first half. Swirling wind and drizzle making the conditions tough for both sides. Barry made a triple change at the break but it was Ponty who got the key second goal Owain Jones with the goal after 63 minutes. With eight minutes to play Owen Pritchard scored to make sure of the three points.
The win lifts Pontypridd off the bottom of the JD Cymru Premier table two points away from safety.
The open quarter of an hour was a scrappy affair as the teams tried to get to grips with the tricky conditions.
It was Ponty who settled first and took the lead thanks to Ben Ahmun. Ahmun received the ball beyond the Barry defensive line and chipped the ball over Luc Rees before slotting the ball in to an empty net.
Barry almost levelled soon after when Ollie Hulbert was played in on goal but he hit his shot just wide.
Barry kept searching for an equaliser and Sam Snaith went closest in the 37th minute. Picking the ball up on the left of the box Snaith cut inside and hit a low strike that needed a decent save from George Ratcliffe.
Half Time: Barry Town 0-1 Pontypridd Town
The home side tried to push for a goal in the second half but Ponty were able to restrict the hosts and deny them many real chances.
The Dragons were looking sharpe when they went forward and Ahmun had a chance that he pulled just wide of the goal.
On 62 minutes Owain Jones made it 2-0 to the visitors when he headed in a corner from close range.
Barry had plenty of the ball but struggled in the final third and couldn’t create any chances to trouble George Ratcliffe.
Owen Pritchard secured the win in the 82nd minute as he scored Ponty’s third. Jan Maertins shot form just inside the box was saved by Rees, but Ponty kept the ball alive and played it to Pritchard on the edge of the box. Pritchard with a first time hit rolled the ball into the net.
Full Time: Barry Town 0-3 Pontypridd United
Barry Town: Luc Rees (G), Michael George, Callum Sainty (Will Richards 71), Sam Snaith (Kayne McLaggon 59), Jamie Veale (Keenan Patten 45), Aiden Lewis (Lee Lucas 45), Ben Blythe, Rhys Davies (Chris Hugh 45), Ollie Hulbert, Lucas Tomlinson, Evan Press (C).
Yellow Cards: Keenan Patten 67.
Pontypridd United: George Ratcliffe (G), Ethan Vaughan, Ben Williams-Margetson, Jordan Knott, Ben Ahmun (Ollie Young 86), Jarrad Wright, Owain Jones (Jan Maertins 76), Owen Pritchard (Josh Stephens 90+1), Ryan Bevan, Clayton Green (C).
Goals: Ben Ahmun 15, Owain Jones 63, Owen Pritchard 82.
Yellow Cards: Ethan Vaughan 48.
https://v.24liveblog.com/24.jsBarry Town and Pontypridd United get their Cymru Premier Phase Two campaign underway in an early kick-off at Jenner Park.
Both sides have made changes to their backroom staff ahead of this match. Former Aberystwyth Town Women’s manager Gavin Allen will take charge of Pontypridd for the first time while Steve Jenkins will move to Director of Football at Barry with Jonathan Jones taking the role of first-team coach.
Barry ended phase one in ninth place five points behind Haverfordwest in seventh. Pontypridd sit in last place two points away from safety. The Linnets ended phase one with two wins, a 4-2 win over Aberystwyth and a 4-0 win over Newtown.
Pontypridd won two of their final three Phase One games with wins over Colwyn Bay and Aberystwyth. Former Barry players Luke Cummings and Clayton Green both scored in Ponty’s last match.
In the two meetings between the sides this season they have won win apiece. A Ben Ahmun penalty in the 19th minute was enough for a win at USW Sports Park. In the return fixture at Jenner Park goals from Harrison Bright and Kayne McLaggon gave Barry a 2-0 win.
All to play for as phase two begins and a hugely important game for both sides.
What time does Barry Town vs Pontypridd United kick-off?
It’s an earlier kick-off time of 13.00 GMT at Jenner Park. Wales get their Six Nations campaign underway at 4.45 pm so the earlier kick-off allows fans to get in both games.
Is Barry Town v Pontypridd United on TV?
No. As per broadcasting rules, the game can not be streamed past 2.45 pm because of the blackout rule. Sgorio will be providing highlights of the game and could upload the goals as they go in. Y Clwb Pêl-droed will be providing live match coverage.
Barry Town v Pontypridd United team news
Cai Rowlands and Mo Djalo both left the club on Friday via mutual consent. The pair had been on loan at Llantwit Major and are now free to sign wherever. As for Pontypridd, a whole host of players have left on the backdrop of their six-point deduction.
Kurtis Rees, Danny Williams, and Joe Hunt have all joined Cymru South outfit Llanelli Town. The Dragons did sign Ryan Bevan from the Reds however and Luke Gullick has returned having had a spell at Trethomas Bluebirds.
