BARRY END THEIR NOMADS HOODOO
KAYNE McLaggon may have scored the goals, but it was Mikey Lewis who took the plaudits for Barry Town United as they won for the first time at Connah’s Quay Nomads since 2002 in the JD Cymru Premier.
The Barry goalkeeper kept his side in the game with a string of important saves, and seen his crossbar come to the rescue on another occasion, and then dived full length in the dying embers of a great contest to deny Aron Williams.
It meant the Linnets were able to hang on to notch up a notable double over the reigning champions and end a miserable run of five successive defeats in all competitions.
It may not be enough to earn them a ticket into the top half of the table for phase two of the tournament, but the 3-2 win will definitely give them impetus.
“Kayne is our talisman and scored the goals, but Mikey made some saves that belonged at the highest level,” said Barry boss Gavin Chesterfield.
“We haven’t been in a great place in recent weeks as a result of some poor performances and not getting the rub of the green. But even if we hadn’t won, the courage and character we displayed against the reigning champions on a difficult day would have stood us in good stead.
“Now we have to build on this and look forward to two very tough games against Penybont to finish phase one.”
A trademark header from a corner by George Horan gave the Nomads a goal advantage to take into the break and Aeron Edwards added a second nine minutes into the second half. An own goal after a mix-up between Ryan Harrington and Oliver Byrne gave Barry hope and two goals from skipper McLaggon in the space of seven minutes put the visitors ahead.
Flint Town United took advantage
of Newtown’s 1-0 defeat at Bala Town to move into second thanks to a 2-2 home draw with Cardiff Met.
The students hit the front in the third minute thanks to a goal from Matt Chubb as he converted a Harry Owen free-kick. Their lead was short lived as Conor Harwood equalised six minutes later and Jack Kenney added a second just before the break. Sam Jones popped up in the 76th minute to level matters.
Will Evans was the man who did for Newtown at Maes Tegid with a goal at the end of the first half.
League leaders TNS were good value for their 4-0 win at Caernarfon Town, where Scottish goal machine Declan McManus kicked things off with his 25th of the season.
Ryan Brobbel, Adrian Cieslewicz and Jordan Williams also struck to keep their side 14 points clear at the top
New Haverfordwest County technical director Nicky Hayen would have been pleased to see his side hit back to take a point from a 2-2 home draw with Penybont.
The Bluebirds got off to a flying start with an early goal from Ricky Watts, but found themselves trailing after goals from Ben Ahmun and skipper Kane Owen.
It took a goal 10 minutes from time by substitute Alhagi Touray Sisay to force a draw.
Cefn Druids are still seeking their first win of the season after going down to a 5-0 defeat at Aberystwyth Town. It was a loss that took their goal difference to -51 for the season with two games against TNS to come before phase one finishes.
The home side raced into a 3-0 interval lead thanks to two goals from Harry Franklin and one from Jamie Veale. Things went from bad to worse for the Druids as Kieran Smith was sent off after two yellow cards.
Sam Phillips scored two more goals for Aber.