GREAT SCOTT TO REDS’ RESCUE
OF the two sides involved in Saturday’s top-of-the-table JD Cymru South clash, Llanelli will probably be the more satisfied following a manof-the match display by home goalkeeper Scott Coughlan.
He has been in outstanding form all season, and the Reds have much to thank him for again after a string of saves denied visitors Barry on numerous occasions.
It was not entirely a one-man show, however, as the home defence also deserves fulsome praise.
Miles John, James Parry, Sean Cronin, Louis Gerrard and Jamie Baker have turned in some outstanding displays over the season, and so it proved again against the league leaders, who despite having the bulk of the play were kept relatively quiet.
In fact, the Reds were the first to show, with John making ground down the right before his attempted cut back into the middle was blocked and the ball eventually cleared.
Coughlan was then called on to make the first of his crucial saves, turning around a well-struck effort by Josh Graham when the visitors broke.
He was called into action again shortly after, this time safely clutching a Jordan Cotterill attempt when he latched on to a throw into the box.
Barry were looking dangerous, with skipper Kayne Mclaggon especially
LLANELLI TOWN ................. 1 BARRY TOWN UTD .............. 1
dominant, and he was denied at the near post by Coughlan after a surging run up the right flank.
The contest then became somewhat scrappy, with play being frequently broken up by a series of freekicks for either side, before a chance for the hosts arose when a ball over the top led to Joe Hopkins making inroads into the area, but he was unable to get his shot away.
Tom Hillman was causing the visitors’ defence problems, and a run down the left culminated in goalkeeper Michael Lewis being called into action to grasp his shot at the near post.
Another close call on the Barry goal came when a floated cross by John to the far post forced defender Michael George to head it narrowly past the upright to concede a corner.
The half came to a close with the Reds on the offensive, and Lewis had to be alert to clutch a shot from distance by John when Hillman set up the chance.
There was an early second-half scare for the home side when a blind back pass intended for Coughlan was intercepted by Mclaggon in the area, but a combination of the goalkeeper and defence averted the danger at the expense of a corner.
Mclaggon was proving to be a constant threat, and when he was allowed to run unchecked into the box, it took another fine save by Coughlan to divert his shot around the upright.
From the ensuing flag kick, an almighty scramble in front of goal somehow ended with the home defence just about managing to eventually clear their lines.
The Reds were being pressurised by their opponents, and when Barry were awarded a free-kick just outside the area, Evan Press became the latest visiting player to be denied by Coughlan, who was quickly down to smother his effort.
Surprisingly, the hosts almost snatched an unlikely lead when new signing Josh Allen almost caught Lewis unawares with a well-struck curler that the keeper kept out with some difficulty.
The Reds then made a number of changes, with Jamie Baker, Dylan Williams and Tim Parker replacing Allen, Owen Bancroft and Eli Phipps, before almost immediately they were hit by the award of a penalty to Barry after Hillman was adjudged to have committed a foul, and even Coughlan could not prevent Mclaggon from netting from the spot on 71 minutes.
But if Barry were thinking they were about to head home with the three points, with just six minutes left a well-crafted move by the Reds put these hopes to an end. Hillman did well to keep the ball in play on the byline before finding Parker, who played a pass into the path of Cronin, and he curled a great finish into the top corner beyond the despairing clutches of Lewis to seal a precious point in the race for the title.
The Reds are without a game this weekend, their next fixture being a local derby at Carmarthen Town on Saturday, February 11 (2.30pm).
LLANELLI TOWN: Coughlan, John, Parry, Cronin, Gerrard, Allen (Williams 59), Bevan, Bancroft (Baker 60), Phipps (Parker 68), Hopkins (capt), Hillman. Subs not used: Robbins, Steadman, Miles.
BARRY TOWN UNITED: M Lewis, George, Hugh, Cooper, Sainty (Beddard 90+4), Mcdonald, Mclaggon (capt), Cotteril, Graham (Fahiya 90+4), Warman (Bull 53), Press. Subs not used: Clarke (GK), Lewis, Davies, Sylvester.
SCORERS: Llanelli Town — Cronin 84. Barry Town United — Mclaggon 71 (pen).
YELLOW CARDS: Llanelli Town — Hillman. Barry Town United — Cotterill, Bull.
REFEREE: Kim Fisher. ATTENDANCE: 301.