Barry Town stroll to 2-0 win over Pontypridd United

Barry Town got themselves back to winning ways in the Adran Premier, as they strode to a 2-0 home win over Pontypridd United.

India Shanahan and Hana Bennett got the goals in a good win for Barry, who looked stable and comfortable throughout the tie.

There’s no change to either side’s positioning in the table. Barry stay in sixth, while Ponty stay bottom and without a win.

Barry made four changes from last week’s defeat to Cardiff City. Nia Davies, Sienna Stone, Chloe Tiley, and Aimee Deacon made way for Holly Jenkins, India Shanahan, Emily Freeman, and Grace Batsford.

There was only one change to the Pontypridd that suffered a narrow loss to Wrexham, as Clare Daley was replaced by Nicole Fenton.

Despite both knowing they’d play for the Plate in phase two and neither could move up the table, the game started with a good level of intensity. Both wanted to play an attacking style of play and it certainly made the early phases a bit of a spectacle.

For Barry in particular, the wingers were finding a lot of success early. Taite Trivett and India Shanahan were using their pace to hurt Ponty, but they couldn’t create anything clear cut.

That was until the midway point of the half when the Linnets struck the first blow. Danielle Broadhurst’s through ball cut right through the Ponty defence and found the run of Shanahan. In acres of space, the forward composed herself and slid the ball into the bottom corner.

For Ponty, chances were coming, but they couldn’t find the back of the net. Lucy Attwood’s cross turned shot bounced the wrong side of the post, while Jasmine Turner almost scored directly from a corner. Erin Brennan however was alert enough to make a fine save.

The best chance of the half would fall to Ponty. Efa Preece Jones lined up a free kick from 30-yards, and tried a rather audacious shot, which ended up crashing off the crossbar. The Dragons could certainly feel confident heading into the second period, but Barry looked good value for their lead too.

Ponty introduced Erin Murray at the start of the second half, who joined from Cardiff Met on deadline day. Even though the prolific goal scorer was on the field, she wasn’t able to influence the game.

The majority of the contest was being played out in the middle of the park, with neither able to establish their dominance over the other. If Ponty were going to get something, they needed something magical, because Barry looked comfortable.

Town’s relative comfort and dominance remained, and it was they who were pushing late in the game. Substitute Aimee Deacon, who looked lively as soon as she stepped on the pitch, skipped past defenders before sending a cross into Catherine Walsh, but Klaudia Wojtyczka made a great save.

But there was nothing the keeper could do in the end, as Barry put a dagger through Ponty hearts four minutes from time. Once again, Deacon danced into the box and saw her shot from a tight angle saved. Hana Bennett, however, was alert, and rushed in to slam the rebound home. Pure elation for the girls in yellow.

They pick up their fifth win of the season, while for Ponty, they know they have to win every game if they are to stay in the Adran Premier.

Both teams will now have to wait for the phase two fixtures to be released to know how their seasons will end. Phase two will start on Sunday 10^th March.

Player of the Match: Hana Bennett

A lot of good performers in yellow out there tonight, but Bennett just edges it for me. Against Ponty it’s so important you control the midfield, and when you have a tenacious worker who can provide moments of quality like Bennett can, you’re always in with a chance. A great performance from the midfielder, who is certainly one of the most underrated players in the league.

Barry Town United

Erin Brennan, Lauren Harris, Holly Jenkins, Hana Bennett, Taite Trivett (Nia Davies 89’), Danielle Broadhurst (Zoe Atkins 88’), India Shanahan (Aimee Deacon 64’), Emily Freeman ©, Grace Batsford (Sienna Stone 70’), Catherine Walsh (Evie Griffiths 89’), Angharad Beman

Goals: India Shanahan (21’), Hana Bennett (86’)

Pontypridd United

Klaudia Wojtyczka, Shannon Hindmarsh, Holly Broad ©, Jasmine Turner, Ellie Gunney, Katie Williams (Erin Murray 46’), Lauren Payne, Efa Preece Jones, Nicole Fenton (Caitlin Davies 73’), Lucy Attwood, Lucy Jones

Unused Subs: Eleanor Brook, Ffion Simmonds, Caitlin Seaborne

(Featured Image: Perry Dobbins)