The New Saints extended their lead at the top of the Cymru Premier, bringing Barry’s winning streak to an end at Park Hall.
Jordan Williams opened the scoring after 20 minutes, before Rhys Abbruzzese levelled the scores. Ash Baker regained the lead for TNS early in the second half, before Declan McManus secured the result in stoppage time.
The best chance of the opening ten minutes came to Barry. Rhys Abbruzzese played a free kick in and the unmarked McLaggon attempted an acrobatic overhead kick, but he failed to connect with the ball.
TNS’ first chance came two minutes after Barry’s opportunity. Ash Baker played the ball into the box after Mike Lewis punched a cross away, and Robles’ header was deflected wide. Astles’ header from the resulting corner cannoned off the crossbar.
After a period of dominance, the deadlock was broken by the home side. Redmond played a superb pass from the left-wing to Leo Smith, who squared it to Jordan Williams. The winger was left with a simple finish into an open net, for his second Cymru Premier goal.
The Saints’ lead lasted just under ten minutes. Rhys Kavanagh crossed the ball into the box and Rhys Abbruzzese, who despite playing wing-back found himself in the middle of the field, showed great determination to get to the ball first, and to score his first goal for Barry.
The period between the goals and the half-time whistle was a quieter one, with any chances coming from long range. A shot by McManus was parried over by Mike Lewis, whilst an effort from just outside the box by Redmond was straight at Lewis. The final act of the first half was a strike by Jordan Williams. However, the shot didn’t curl enough, and was wide of the Barry goal.
The Saints restored their lead early in the second half, and it was another tap-in. Jordan Williams out-powered Curtis McDonald, and squared it across the face of goal and Ash Baker got away from his marker for a simple finish.
Barry’s top scorer this season, Clayton Green, had a chance to add to his tally on the hour mark. Cummings dragged the ball back to Green on the edge of the box, but his effort was tame and wide of the target.
The introduction of Marcus Day and Theo Wharton led to a change of shape for Barry, and it nearly paid dividends immediately. Day showed his running ability and avoided the defence to get into a position to play the ball in. However, nobody was in the box to finish off his pass from the left-wing.
TNS had a penalty appeal denied, after Astles believed he was tripped by Kayne McLaggon following a corner. However, Nick Pratt waved their protests away.
In stoppage time, it was TNS who looked more likely to add to their tally instead of Barry equalising. Substitute Danny Davies fired an effort at goal from his left foot, but it was straight at Mike Lewis. Jordan Williamsthe came closing to adding to his opening goal, but his strike from the edge of the box hit the left post and rolled across the face of goal.
Indeed, in the final minute, TNS did add to their tally, and it was yet another tap-in created by Jordan Williams. Williams did well to keep the ball despite pressure from the Barry defence, before squaring it to McManus for an easy goal.
Following their victory, TNS now go four points clear at the top of the league. Meanwhile, Barry have slipped down to fifth.
Player of the Match:
Jordan Williams – The New Saints
Whilst his goal was one of the easiest he will have in his career, he also did well to set up two other goals and was pivotal for TNS’ victory, and was a constant thorn in Barry’s defence on the left-wing.
Danny Redmond also deserves particular praise. The versatile midfielder seemed to be everywhere for the Saints, and his pass for Jordan Williams’ opener was a particular highlight of his performance.
Rhys Abbruzzese was also impressive for Barry, especially considering it was his first league appearance of the season. However, despite his impressive performance in attack, he will be disappointed to have let Ash Baker slip away so easily for TNS’ second goal.
Line-ups:
The New Saints: Paul Harrison, Chris Marriott (C), Keston Davies, Ryan Astles, Jon Routledge, Declan McManus, Daniel Redmond, Jordan Williams, Louis Robles, Leo Smith (Ryan Brobbel 66′), Ash Baker (Danny Davies 79′)
Unused substitutes: Rhys Parry, Dean Ebbe, Ben Clark, Jeanny Leblanc-Akpo, Tom Holland
Goals: Jordan Williams 20, Ash Baker 50, Declan McManus 90+4′
Yellow cards: Ash Baker 25, Keston Davies 31, Declan McManus 37, Jordan Williams 88′
Barry Town: Mike Lewis, Luke Cummings, Callum Sainty (Theo Wharton 68′), Kayne McLaggon (C), Jordan Cotterill, Rhys Kavanagh (Marcus Day 68′), Curtis McDonald, Rhys Abbruzzese, Aron Davies (Nathaniel Jarvis 80′), Luke Cooper, Clayton Green
Unused substitutes: Kelland Absalom, Evan Press
Goal: Rhys Abbruzzese 29′
Yellow card: Rhys Kavanagh 35′
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