Barry Sport
Barry Town extend unbeaten run and move up table
8:50am Thursday 2nd February 2012
CAMBRIAN & CLYDACH 1 Barry Town 3
WITH ALL the rain lately, everyone was expecting last Saturday's Welsh League Division One game to be called off – but the pitch passed an inspection and the match went ahead.
The Dragons knew this would be a difficult game against the unbeaten league leaders who had scored 39 goals and conceded only 8 in 15 games so far.
Manager Gavin Chesterfield and his Coaches Mike Cosslett and Damon Searle decided on a few changes to the team that drew last week with Ton Pentre, taking into account the very heavy conditions.
New signing Ryan Evans was given his debut, replacing Lee Baldock, while Mike Hartley replaced Ryan Jenkins, and Nickie Jones - returning from suspension - replaced the injured Atif Bashir.
The pitch was not conducive to the normal Dragons passing game so a different approach was needed with the ball given plenty of air.
Barry started strongly and did not give the opposition time to settle on the ball. They looked a team full of confidence in their ability and took the game to Cambrian.
There were several half chances created before the Dragons took an early lead when a corner was flicked on to allow Christian Doidge to head the ball back across the keeper into the net.
Cambrian tried to push forward but were generally held at bay by a strong back four. The opposition are known for their abilities at set pieces but captain Dan Clare marshalled his defence well and The Dragons held firm. The Barry Town players knew that one goal was not enough against a team as good as Cambrian, and kept searching for a second goal. It should have arrived on 30 minutes when TJ Nagi fired home, but milliseconds before his strike the referee blew for a foul on James Saddler and awarded a penalty.
Unfortunately the Cambrian keeper saved Christian Doidge's twice-taken spot kick.
The Dragons were to rue this miss when Cambrian were awarded a penalty when a free kick hit Geraint Frowen on the arm. He made no movement with his arm and it felt unjust.
Dan Bradley in The Dragons goal saved the penalty but the taker scored with the rebound to level the scores.
Town team shook off this setback and immediately went on the attack looking to restore the lead. The goal arrived shortly before half time when a Nickie Jones free kick was floated into the box and appeared to miss everyone and sailed into the top left hand corner of the net. Dan Clare, however, insisted he got a touch to the ball.
Both teams created a few chances in the remaining time of the first half, but they came to nothing.
The pitch had cut up quite badly and the second half was hard for both sides with passing football very difficult. Cambrian were pushing forward looking for a second equaliser when they were awarded a corner.
Before the corner could be taken Cambrian were down to 10 men, after a centre half appeared to hit out at Christian Doidge. The incident was spotted by the assistant referee and the player concerned was dismissed.
This seemed to galvanise Cambrian and for the next 15 or 20 minutes they started to dominate. The defence held firm and gradually The Dragons got themselves back into the game.
They were rewarded when a great move saw the ball fall to Doidge about 25 yards from goal. He looked up and sent a shot flying into the top right hand corner of the net to effectively seal the game.
The Dragons brought on fresh legs with Josh Bell, Ryan Jenkins and Rhys Lewis replacing TJ Nagi, Scott Jones and Nickie Jones.
The game was getting a bit feisty and the referee was put under great pressure by Cambrian players and supporters. However, he was not to be pressured and held firm.
The Dragons players and supporters were overjoyed at the end as the team extended their unbeaten sequence to 7 games and climbed to 9th in the table.
There is a confidence about their play and they are starting to show what a good squad Gavin and his team have assembled.
This Saturday The Dragons entertain AFC Porth, looking to avenge a 0-4 drubbing at Porth earlier in the season.
It would be nice to see a few more faces at Jenner Park. Remember the money from gate receipts and programme sales goes to The Supporters Committee which is wholly responsible for all match expenditure.
Barry Town: Dan Bradley; Ryan Evans, Geraint Frowen, Dan Clare (Capt), Lewis Cosslett, Scott Jones (sub Ryan Jenkins), Nickie Jones (sub Rhys Lewis), James Saddler, TJ Nagi (sub Josh Bell), Christian Doidge, Mike Hartley. Subs (not used) Lee Baldock, Brendan Cropley.