Barry Town Utd 1-0 Aberystwyth Town

Barry Town Utd entertained the Seasiders of Aberystwyth Town in their latest Genero Adran Premier League fixture on Thursday evening at Jenner Park.

Going into the fixture, the teams were separated by just two points with Barry ahead in 6th place in the League table, although the visitors had shown strong form in their previous two fixtures, recording a draw at reigning champions, Swansea City and a narrow 1-0 defeat to league leaders Cardiff City FC. For Barry, this was a crucial game in Phase 1 in order to keep any aspirations alive of a top four finish.

The home side started brightly and looked to utilise their pace in wide areas with Taite Trivett and Emily Nicholson getting into dangerous area and finding space in transition. Trivett had the first opportunity of the game when a through ball found her racing down the right before cutting inside but her shot went inches wide of the far post.

Barry striker, Mackenzie Olden went close with an effort that went just over the bar, the but the 18-year-old was not to be denied on 26 minutes. An excellent passage of play found Manon Pearce who played a pinpoint ball into Olden who struck a left foot shot into the bottom corner to give the hosts a valuable lead.

Pearce herself almost doubled Barry's lead two minute later when she rolled a defender before unleashing a left foot shot which was brilliantly saved by Valentine.

Aber started to come to life on the half hour mark, and almost equalised on the counter when Emily Thomas rounded goalkeeper Erin Brennan, but her cross come shot from out wide narrowly missy Libby Issac at the back post. Barry defended a number of set pieces towards the end of the half but went into the break deservedly in the lead.

The second half was a war of attrition, both teams looking to make a killer blow, Barry looking to extend their lead with the visitors looking to get on level terms. The home side went close to doubling their lead, Olden and Trivett were both denied by smart saves from Valentine, Pearce also going very close with a fantastic left foot effort that went inches over the bar.

The visitors put Barry under pressure from dead ball situations but the Linnets stood firm. Aberystwyth were reduced to 10 players with minutes remaining, substitute Carys Davies picking up two yellow cards in quick succession. The home side held out to record their third win of the season and move into 5th place in the table.