Barry Town 0-5 TNS: Saints go marching into new season with statement win

TNS got their Adran Premier campaign underway in style, as they defeated Barry Town 5-0 at Jenner Park.

The Saints held a one-goal lead at the break through Molly Harvard’s looping effort, but in the second, they punished Barry for making mistakes. Grace Dunkerley, Chantelle Teare, Lia Lewis, and Lexi Jones were all on target, as TNS got off to the perfect start.

This was only TNS’ second win in six games in south Wales, and they go top after one game.

Both teams have been active in the transfer window, and both handed first starts to a number of players.

For Barry, Erin Murray, Amy Long, Keira Harris, Ingird Ådland, Carys Bufton and Ellie Preece were all handed their debuts by Stevie McCarthy-Campbell.

As far as TNS were concerned, new manager Shauna Duffy started Becca Elliot, Maria Francis-Jones, Tiggy Webb, Kayleigh Baker, Lexi Jones, Sophie Phillips and Molly Harvard in their first game of the season down on the south coast.

As soon as the game kicked off, you could see both Barry and TNS had been working hard during the preseason. New shapes and new philosophies were the ‘it’ thing during the first period, but as perhaps expected, things weren’t as slick and precise as the management teams would want it to be.

Loose passes, raised flags for offside, and players being ever so slightly out of position dominated the opening phases, but as the clocked ticked over halfway through the first half, Barry began to find their feet.

Erin Murray pinged a ball over the top for Ellie Preece to race onto, and the winger used her trademark pace to rush in behind the Saints defence, but found the side netting. Half the crowd were already out of their seats ready to celebrate, but as soon as they were stood, they sat straight back down.

It did feel that Duffy’s side were under the cosh, but they erased those pressures with ten minutes of the half remaining, as they scored their first goal of the campaign.

Chantelle Teare’s shot on the edge of the box was blocked, but the rebound fell kindly back to her, and she proceeded to prod the ball through into the path of Havard, who looped the ball over Molly Arnesen. Barry defenders were appealing for a flag, but it wasn’t forthcoming.

The Saints defended well to see out the half, and they headed back into the changing rooms with a slender advantage.

That advantage was tested early in the second 45, as Keira Harris wriggled into some space on the edge of the box. She took aim, but the ball dipped over the bar. A good start to the half, but their plans were about to become undone in the space of ten minutes.

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A cross into the Barry box was met by Teare, but her effort was saved by Arnesen. However, the ball fell to Grace Dunkerley who was lurking at the back post, and she swept home to double the advantage.

The Linnets were then the makers of their own downfall. A Barry defender’s back pass towards Arnesen was pounced upon by Teare, who rounded the keeper and stroked into an empty net.

Now it was all about whether Barry could score on the opening day and get something from the game. But when they pushed up, gaps were left behind, and Teare almost exposed it with a blistering run from deep, but Arnesen pulled out a sublime save to deny her.

But yet again, Barry would shoot themselves in the foot, as a defender brought Teare down in the box, leaving the referee no other option but to point to the spot. Up stepped captain Lia Lewis, who slammed the ball into the bottom corner.

Duffy’s side weren’t done scoring there, as they added an eyebrow raising fifth two minutes from time. An unlucky deflection allowed Lexi Jones to race through on goal, and she managed to poke home, as the Saints recorded a huge win on the opening day.

Barry’s second game of the season sees them travel to six-time champions Swansea City, while TNS will welcome Aberystwyth Town to Park Hall.

Player of the Match: Chantelle Teare

No one was more deserving of getting on the scoresheet today than Teare. The way she was able to move into space and use her electric speed to create chances for herself and others was incredible. This could be a really big season for Teare.

Barry Town

Molly Arnesen, Lauren Harris ©, Erin Murray (Chloe Tiley 69’), Amy Long (Lucy Coles 85’), Keira Harris, Emily Freeman © (Amelia Herbert 85’), Sienna Stone (Lucy Attwood 62’), Ingrid Ådland, Carys Bufton (Holly Jenkins 62’), Ellie Preece, Angharad Beman

TNS

Becca Elliot, Maria Francis-Jones, Grace Dunkerley, Tiggy Webb, Kayleigh Baker, Chantelle Teare, Lexi Jones, Helen Evans (Matilda Edge 74’), Sophie Phillips, Lia Lewis ©, Molly Havard (Poppy Kendrick-Jones 62’)

Unused subs: Lois Jones, Summer Breed, Mia Evans

Goals: Molly Havard (36’), Grace Dunkerley (55’), Chantelle Teare (65’), Lia Lewis (81’ p), Lexi Jones (88’)

Yellows: Helen Evans (58’)

(Featured Image: Perry Dobbins)