Barry Town United snapped a three-game losing streak with a much-needed 1-0 victory at home to Aberystwyth Town.
In front of a good crowd at Jenner Park, Mackenzie Olden’s first-half goal was enough to separate both sides. Aber were reduced to ten players as Carys Davies received a second yellow two minutes from time, while manager Gavin Allen was sent off after the final whistle.
The result sees Barry move up to fifth, while Aberystwyth stay seventh.
The first ten minutes showed what we could expect from both sides this evening. Barry were a team who wanted to us their pace down the wings, through Taite Trivett and Emily Nicholson primarily, to hurt this Aber team.
The Seasiders, on the other hand, wanted to use their physical advantage over their opponents and work their way into good spaces.
The early stages of the first half were proving that Barry’s tactics were working better than Aber’s. Trivett made a darting run in from the wing but dragged her effort just wide of Elen Valentine’s post.
There then followed periods of stray passes from both sides, making both teams and supporters slightly restless. Just when the game needed a bit of energy, Barry provided it.
Manon Pearce played a clever ball from the wing to Mackenzie Olden. She took a shot, and it dipped just before reaching Valentine, and a as a result, seemed to worm under her and into the net, and Barry, out of nothing, were ahead.
The goal certainly ignited something within this Aber team, and they showed more promise as the half went on.
They had a golden opportunity on the 34th minute. Erin Brennan decided to run out of her goal, and Emily Thomas rounded her before heading to the wing. She crossed it into the box, but somehow the ball just missed the oncoming foot of Libby Isaac, who would have converted into an empty net.
Aber then launched a number of long balls over the Barry defence, and that looked like a plan that would work, but they couldn’t quite make it stick, whether it be a bad first touch or clever Barry defending.
If the first half had energy and attacking intent, the second half certainly didn’t.
A far more timid affair with neither side able to string a few passes together. Perhaps an indication that Barry were happy and confident of defending a one-goal lead, while Aber simply couldn’t find a way through.
To make matters worse for the visitors they received two red cards. Firstly, Carys Davies received a second yellow for an apparent elbow on a Barry player, but it did seem like a soft call from the referee.
Manager Gavin Allen was sent off after the final whistle, for protesting the red card Davies had received.
But the game had been over for a while, and Barry will be delighted with the three points.
Barry’s next match is at home to TNS on November 6th. Aberystwyth will next play in the FAW Cup away to Connah’s Quay, before returning to league action at home to Abergavenny Town.
Player of the Match: Hana Bennett
When Barry needed a tenacious presence in their ranks, Bennett provided it. Not afraid of going into any tackles, also playing a few mind games with her opponents. A good display from the number six tonight.
Barry Town United
Erin Brennan (GK), Lauren Harris ©, Holly Jenkins, Delia Ebbin (Maisy Fahey-Pennell, 65’), Hana Bennett, Taite Trivett, Anna Houghton, Mackenzie Olden, Manon Pearce, Emily Nicholson (Nia Davies, 87’), Faith Mulenga
Unused Subs: Ruby Hamed-Jones, Lorna Thomas, Rhian Thomas
Goals: Mackenzie Olden (26’)
Aberystwyth Town
Elen Valentine (GK), Lucie Gwilt, Rebecca Mathias, Beth Roberts (Carys Davies, 70’), Elin Jones, Kelly Thomas © (Gwenllian Jones, 63’), Emily Thomas, Libby Isaac, Shauna Chambers, Ffiona Evans (Hannah Pusey, 70’), Amy Jenkins (Tania Wylde, 63’)
Unused Sub: Carys Pugh-Jones (GK)
Yellow Cards: Kelly Thomas (55’), Shauna Chambers (67’), Carys Davies (84’)
Red Cards: (Carys Davies, 88’), Gavin Allen (90’)
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