Barry Town picked up their first win of this season’s Adran Premier, as they hammered Aberystwyth Town 4-0 at Jenner Park.
With the first half looking like it was going to end goalless, the Linnets struck twice through Erin Murray and Jasmine Turner, to ensure they led at the interval.
In the second half, Barry built on their lead and made sure to record a comfortable victory, thanks to goals from Ingrid Ådland and Ellie Preece.
The result moves Barry up to fifth in the table, while Aberystwyth remain pointless at the bottom of the table.
The Linnets made one change from the side that picked up an impressive draw away to Swansea City last week, as Grace Corne replaced Keira Harris.
Chris Church elected to make two changes from Aber’s 6-1 away defeat to TNS last weekend. There were starting spots for Shauna Chambers and Lowri James-Evans, who replaced Hannah Davies and Bethan Roberts.
For large parts of the first period, the game lacked a lot of quality. Misplaced passes, poor positioning, an inability to get shots away were the theme for the first half hour, and it was clear both managers weren’t happy with the way things were going.
Something had to change, and initially, it was Aberystwyth who took that chance. The Seasiders created a series of chances in quick succession but couldn’t test Molly Arnsesen. Lily Moralee-Hughes saw two shots blocked in the space of five seconds, while Modlen Gwynne couldn’t get on the end of Shauna Chambers’ fizzing cross.
As the game limped into the final stages of its first act, the tide began to turn, and it was those in yellow who were motoring. A lapse of concentration in the Aber defence allowed Carys Bufton to get a half-volley away, but Chelsea Herbert palmed it over the bar well.
But the green and black wall would eventually crumble with minutes to go, as Barry catapulted themselves into the lead. Firstly, Ellie Preece’s cross was played back into a dangerous area by Ellie Gunney, and there to take full advantage was Erin Murray, who fired into the bottom corner.
Just a mere two minutes later, the lead had doubled. From 30-yards out and more, Jasmine Turner’s cross turned into a shot in mid-air, and it sailed over Herbert. A fine end to the half from the hosts, but for the visitors, major questions were being asked.
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Answers to those questions weren’t forthcoming at the start of the second half, as Barry went oh so close to adding a third. Aber’s defence switched off, and that allowed Preece to turn and shoot inside the box, but she could only hit the post.
There was a resurgence from Church’s side soon after, as they began to push themselves up field, but in their attempt to pull one back, they fell further behind.
Once again, Preece was left in acres of space in the box, but instead of shooting, she played it back across to Ingrid Ådland, who finessed the ball expertly into the top corner.
If Aberystwyth were going to get anything out of this game, they needed a bit of luck, and they almost got it with thanks to the ever-reliable Barry wind. Modlen Gwynne’s hooked shot was almost blown into the net with a strong gust behind it, but Molly Arnesen did well to keep it out.
But in reality, Barry always looked the most likely to score, and they added a fourth with 15 minutes remaining. Substitute Emily Freeman made a blistering run down the left, and her inviting cross found Preece. While her first shot was saved, she cooly converted the rebound to put the result beyond doubt.
In the end, a thoroughly professional performance from a Barry team, who showcased why they should be considered top four contenders come the end of the season. For Aberystwyth, it’s three defeats on the spin to start the season.
Next for Barry Town is a short trip to Cyncoed to face Cardiff Met, while Aberystwyth Town will welcome Wrexham to Park Avenue.
Player of the Match: Ellie Preece
Preece came on before the half hour mark for the injured Grace Corne, but she helped to flip the game on its head.
Her electric pace allowed her to pick up positions between defenders or allowed her to get an advantage on her marker down the wing. After a difficult season with Cardiff Met, Preece is making a fine start to life on the south coast.
Barry Town
Molly Arnesen, Lauren Harris ©, Holly Jenkins, Grace Corne (Ellie Preece 25’), Erin Murray (Sienna Stone 77’), Amy Long (Lucy Attwood 77’), Jasmine Turner, Ingrid Ådland, Carys Bufton (Keira Harris 61’), Ellie Gunney (Emily Freeman 61’), Angharad Beman
Goals: Erin Murray (43’), Jasmine Turner (45’), Ingrid Ådland (55’), Ellie Preece (75’)
Yellows: Erin Murray (39’)
Aberystwyth Town
Chelsea Herbert, Rebecca Mathias, Lily Moralee-Hughes, Lleucu Mathias, Imi Scourfield, Libby Isaac, Shauna Chambers, Modlen Gwynne, Maria Ewers (Josie Pugh 58’), Amy Jenkins © (Jess Baker 82’), Lowri James-Evans
Unused subs: Sophie Steele, Chloe Jones, Dani Mawle
Yellows: Lleucu Mathias (41’)
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