Barry Town scored a 91st minute equaliser to draw 2-2 with Swansea City in the Adran Premier.
Having gone behind to an Erin Murray opener in the first half, Swansea City responded well, and with second half goals from Stacey John-Davis and Emily Richards, it looked like they would hold on to all three points.
But Barry had other ideas, and it was Ellie Gunney who headed from a corner for the hosts in stoppage time, who claimed a priceless point.
The draw moves Barry Town into fourth spot, while Swansea City remain in third.
There were two changes in the Barry line-up from their last outing, which was a win on penalties over Caldicot Town in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup. Carys Bufton and Lucy Attwood were the ones to miss out, with Lauren Harris and Ingrid Ådland replacing them.
Jamie Sherwood, on the other hand, also made two changes from last week when they defeated Carmarthen Town in the Welsh Cup, as Steph Turner and Rachel Cullen made way for Sophie Brisland-Hancocks and Nia Jones. The game also marked Jess Williams’ 100th for the club.
The reverse fixture at the Swansea.com Stadium ended in a goalless draw, but from the off at Jenner Park, both sides looked to score.
Some good link up play between Ellie Preece and Ellie Gunney resulted in the latter racing in on goal, but she poked the ball wide of the target. At the other end, Stacey John-Davis was released into a one-on-one situation. She opened up her body expertly to try and place the ball in the far corner, but she was denied by Molly Arnesen.
Despite those two attempts, the first half was very cagey. With both sides eyeing a place in the top four before the break in the season, neither wanted to make an error. Both had to try and find a way through one another, and it was Barry who managed to do it first.
Jasmine Turner picked up the ball in Swansea territory before releasing Erin Murray into free air. The former Archer took her time and composed herself, before finessing the ball into the back of the net. Barry had never beaten Swansea City before, but they had just taken a big step in the right direction.
Swansea looked to try and find an equaliser, but at times, it looked like they were forcing the issue too much. Their best opportunities came from set pieces. Williams’ set piece had Arnesen scrambling, but the young keeper held onto it well.
On the cusp of half time, the Swans went even closer. Emily Richards lined up a free kick from 25-yards out, but she could only see the ball clip the top of the crossbar. Close, but not close enough for the visitors, who needed to turn it around in the second half.
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That turnaround came quickly, and parity was restored a mere five minutes into the half. A corner was not cleared convincingly by Barry and that allowed the ball to bobble out to John-Davis on the edge of the six-yard box, who turned on a sixpence and found the bottom corner. The game was now well and truly on.
More cagey football followed after the equaliser, but as the clock ticked over the hour mark, Swansea found themselves in front. Having been played through expertly by Aimee Deacon, Emily Richards rounded the keeper, and with the help of the inside of the post, found the back of the net. The turnaround was complete, but could Swansea hold on?
The answer to that came almost instantaneously as Preece raced away from the defence and attempted to chip the ball in, but Charlie Haynes stood tall and thwarted her well.
After that sighter, Barry really struggled to find a way behind the Swansea defence. The partnership of Williams and Nia Jones was stout, and with willing runners ahead of them, the next goal was likely to come from those in black rather than those in yellow.
But football is a funny old game that can throw up so many twists and turns, and in added time, the game was spun on its head. Carys Bufton’s floated corner found Ellie Gunney at the back post, who headed down and past Haynes.
The final whistle blew, and for the second time this season, Barry had taken a point off of the mighty Swansea. It’s a result that highlights the progress made by Barry this season, who look like real contenders to finish in the top four. For Swansea, it’s a result that will frustrate them no end.
Next up for Barry Town is a home game against Briton Ferry, while Swansea City host Aberystwyth Town.
Player of the Match: Aimee Deacon
It’s never easy to go back to your old club, and despite getting fouled time and time again, Deacon rose to the challenge. Always looking to get in behind, always looking to score, and her assist for Emily Richards’ goal was sublime.
Barry Town
Molly Arnesen, Lauren Harris (Angharad Beman 75’), Holly Jenkins (Carys Bufton 80’), Grace Corne, Erin Murray (Keira Harris 86’), Amy Long, Jasmine Turner, Emily Freeman ©, Ingrid Ådland, Ellie Gunney, Ellie Preece
Unused subs: Mackenzie Ellingham, Sienna Stone
Goals: Erin Murray (20’), Ellie Gunney (90+1’)
Swansea City
Charlie Haynes, Lucy Finch, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Sammy Wynne, Robyn Pinder, Stacey John-Davis ©, Emily Richards (Taite Trivett 83’), Aimee Deacon, Emily Thomas, Jess Williams, Nia Jones
Unused subs: Steph Turner, Chloe Chivers, Maddy Murray, Jasmine Guymer
Goals: Stacey John-Davis (50’), Emily Richards (63’)
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