Bala routed by Barry but Cofis earn vital win in race for top 6
BARRY Town United went on the rampage at Bala Town’s expense in the penultimate round of matches in phase one of the JD Cymru Premier League.
Barry needed one win from their last two games to ensure a top-six finish to reach the Championship Conference after this weekend’s split, and they did in style at Jenner Park as they beat third-placed Bala Town 6-2.
Gavin Chesterfield’s men came from behind after conceding a goal to Chris Venables after only two minutes.
Barry scored five goals without reply to take control of proceedings. Kayne McLaggon and Evan Press both scored twice before Chris Hugh made it 5-1 in the 51st minute.
Kieran Smith got one back for Bala, but Curtis JemmettHudson scored the goal of the game with a brilliant solo effort that saw him juggle the ball on his knee with his back to goal, before turning on the penalty spot and smashing a half-volley into the left corner.
The New Saints also went into overdrive to make it 11 goals in their last two games as they beat Flint Town United 6-0.
Adrian Cieslewicz had a hat-trick of assists and scored the penultimate goal as his side closed the gap on league leaders Connah’s Quay to three points.
The visitors were four goals to the good within 16 minutes as Ben Clark, Ryan Astles and Louis Robles (2) all struck.
Cieslewicz made it 5-0 by the break and Ryan Brobbel marked his return to action with the sixth in the 51st minute.
Penybont, Caernarfon Town and Haverfordwest County will battle it out for the final two places in the top six, with fifth-placed Penybont hosting Haverfordwest.
Caernarfon make the challenging trip to TNS knowing that a point will secure a topsix spot regardless of the other result: a loss combined with a Haverfordwest win would see the Canaries miss out on goal difference.
Both matches kick off at 5pm on Friday.
The Bluebirds will head to Bridgend full of confidence on the back of a 3-0 win at Newtown.
Penybont could only pick up a point in a 1-1 draw at Aberystwyth.
A goal from Mael Davies in the 59th minute wiped out Harry Franklin’s 33rd-minute strike for the home team.
A 3-2 home win over struggling Cardiff Met was a big – indeed probably crucial – boost for Caernarfon.
Jack Kenny gave the home side a 12th-minute lead at The Oval before a Mike Hayes penalty made it 2-0.
The students hit back with a Harry Owen goal, but Jake Bickerstaff was given a simple tap-in after fine work down the left by Hayes and the home team were 3-1 to the good.
Eliot Evans hammered home a consolation penalty for the visitors.
● Caernarfon’s match was preceded by a minute’s silence in respect for former club chairman Arfon Roberts.
A statement on the club’s website reads: “It is with great sadness that the club has been informed of the recent passing of our former chairman, Mr Arfon Roberts.
“Mr Roberts was chairman at the Oval in the mid nineteen eighties and was at the helm during the club’s successful period when John King took the Cofis on a march to the FA Cup third round proper in 1986/87.
“A local businessman who had his own Sports shop in Caernarfon, Mr Roberts passed away on March 22nd and was eighty-six years of age.
“A minute’s silence was observed in respect of our former chairman prior Saturdays’ match at the Oval between Caernarfon and Cardiff Met.”