Barry Town advance in Adran Trophy with win over Cascade

Barry Town cruised into the last eight of the Adran Trophy with a 3-0 victory over Cascade at Jenner Park.

Barry struck twice on the cusp of half time to ensure they had a healthy lead thanks to strikes from India Shanahan and Keira Harris.

Beca Thomas added a third goal for the Linnets four minutes after the restart, as Barry proved to be too much to handle for their Adran South opponents.

There were two changes from the Barry team that lost to Cardiff City last time out. Sienna Stone and Beca Thomas came into the side for Chelsea Cochrane and Danielle Broadhurst, with the latter departing the club this week to join Gwalia United.

There were also two changes for Cascade, who lost to Carmarthen Town last weekend. There were returns for Ellis Lunn and Emily Green, with Clare Daley and Mia Kemp dropping out.

Barry’s injury list was already lengthy heading into this game, and just eight minutes in they were forced into a change. Angharad Beman the unfortunate one to go off, but the Jenner Park physio room is certainly getting busier.

Despite the first half being quite an open affair, both sides were limited to a handful of half chances each. For Barry, Keira Harris failed to steer an India Shanahan cross home, while for Cascade, Olivia Townsend saw a shot from distance sail over the bar.

Townsend was clearly confident after her earlier sighter, and therefore it was no surprise that the best opportunity of the half for the visitors came through her. The winger unleashed a thunderbolt towards Molly Arnesen’s goal, but the ball smacked the post. The Adran South side were certainly getting closer to that illusive opener.

But a poor final five minutes of the half from a Cascade perspective allowed Barry to score two before the break. Firstly, Beca Thomas’ cross into the box found an unmarked Shanahan, who cushioned her volley into the back of the net.

Just three minutes later, the lead had doubled. Lucy Attwood this time put in a dangerous cross into the box, and there to meet it was Harris who nodded home with ease. At half time, things were looking bright for James Fishlock’s side.

Briton Ferry star Meg Kearle reflects on over a decade at the club

Barry picked up where they left off at the start of the second half by adding a third to their tally shortly after the restart. Attwood’s searching through ball found the run of Thomas, who executed a cool finish past Hollie Williams.

The third goal seemed to really knock the stuffing out of Cascade, who struggled to create anything of note throughout the second half. Barry controlled the rest of the game but couldn’t execute any clinical moves in the final third.

As a result, the game petered out in the second half, but Barry won’t mind one bit. After being on the ropes in the early stages of the first half, the Linnets bounced back to book their place in the quarterfinals.

Both sides will return to league action next weekend. Barry Town will welcome Aberystwyth Town in the Adran Premier, while Cascade host Pure Swansea in the Adran South.

Player of the Match: Beca Thomas

An honourable mention to Lucy Attwood who was equally brilliant but today showcased exactly what Thomas is all about. Her relentless energy down the wing, coupled with her technical ability, make her so difficult to stop for her opponents.

Barry Town

Molly Arnesen (Emily Blunt 78’), Keira Harris, Jasmine Turner (Ava Coomer 78’), Emily Freeman ©, Sienna Stone, Beca Thomas, India Shanahan (Millie Breen 63’), Amelia Herbert, Lucy Attwood, Ellie Gunney, Angharad Beman (Evelyn Ingram 8’)

Goals: India Shanahan (41’), Keira Harris (44’), Beca Thomas (49’)

Yellows: Keira Harris (90’)

Cascade

Hollie Williams, Chrystalla Moreton, Ffion Simmonds, Casey Thomas, Chloe Tiley, Erin Parry, Ellis Lunn, Annaliese Lewis © (Izzy Watkins 67’), Iris Jones (Caitlyn Salmoni 67’), Olivia Townsend, Emily Green (Ffion Bowden 60’)

Unused subs: Chrissy Kidley, Mia Kemp

Yellows: Emily Green (55’)

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)