Bans could hit Barry’s bid for a second success
JD CYMRU PREMIER
BARRY Town host Aberystwyth this evening at Jenner Park (7.45pm) in the JD Cymru Premier League, with both teams looking to build on excellent opening-night wins.
Gavin Chesterfield’s Linnets came from behind to win an open match 2-1 against league newcomers Penybont.
A Kane Owen penalty minutes into the second half looked like setting the new boys up for a debut victory, but Barry dug in and played some excellent football to go on and take the three points with goals from man-ofthe-match Kayne McLaggon and a wonderful volley from 20 yards from Jonathan Hood.
Hood had been notching a few beauties from outside the box in preseason, but his sweetly-struck winner in front of a live television audience summed up the practice-makes-perfect scenario.
The only blot on Barry’s win was a double red card awarded by official Iwan Griffiths, who had refereed Manchester United and Milan only a week earlier.
Jordan Cotterill and Hood were the recipients and they could be sorely missed tonight against Aber.
The Mid-Walians gained a smart opening-night victory against Carmarthen Town at their Park Avenue ground.
Luke Boundford, a summer signing from Newtown, broke Carmarthen’s hearts with a superb 20-yard strike into the top corner to see his team to a marvellous 3-2 victory.
Over the last couple of seasons, Aber have not travelled well, so Chesterfield and Barry could see this as a great chance of a three-point haul which would put the home team in a good early-season position before they host Bala Town on Bank Holiday Monday at Jenner.
Cardiff Met University earned a superb opening-day point on the road at Connah’s Quay last Saturday when a Jordan Lam goal gave them a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Christian Edwards’ students are on their travels again tonight to Penybont in another big game for both clubs.
Penybont were undone in their opener by a strong Barry team and Rhys Griffiths’ new boys will have to be at their best against a student team who are now definitely playing like an experienced bunch of Welsh Premier men.
After Edwards’ team performed so well in their Europa League venture a lot of Cymru Premier followers fancy the Cyncoed team to finish in a topfour spot this season and last Saturday’s draw at Deeside showed good signs.
But ‘Bont should take plenty of credit from the opening-night performance and continue their pacey footballing style.
A home point would be a good one for Penybont against the Met, who might just be looking for three on the road.
There is a full Cymru Premier fixture list this evening includin, Carmarthen hosting Newtown which is live on S4C with an 8pm kick-off.
Elsewhere, it’s Bala v The New Saints, Caernarfon v Connah’s Quay and Cefn Druids v Airbus UK.