United have failed to win in their last five games against the high-flyers
BARRY Town United played out a tense 0-0 draw against high-flyers Penybont on Friday with both sides missing opportunities to score.
A draw was a good result for Barry who had made seven changes from the side that lost 4-0 to Penybont in the reverse fixture in January.
It was a cagey start to the game with neither side able to keep hold of possession.
There was a good crowd at Jenner Park on Friday night with Barry’s “wear your club colours” campaign seeing home fans wearing yellow and blue get in at half price.
The home crowd was in good voice and almost had a goal to cheer early on when captain Kayne McLaggon flashed a shot at goal after a smart move forcing Penybont keeper Morris into a smart save.
The visitors missed a golden opportunity to take the lead soon after when a long throw put Nathan Wood in on goal but his point blank shot was hit straight at Barry keeper Absalom.
Penybont were largely the better team during the early stages but failed to make a breakthrough.
Barry had two chances later on in the first half when Marcus Day fluffed his shot from inside the penalty area before Jordan Cotterill’s shot went over the bar after a good run.
McLaggon caused Penybont problems in the first half drawing two yellow cards from opposition players within 35 minutes.
But the visitors nearly went into the break ahead when a loose pass gifted possession to captain Kane Owen who fired a vicious shot just over the bar.
Barry started the second half much more brightly and nearly took the lead after 10 minutes when Day’s shot was tipped over the bar after a wonderful McLaggon run.
Penybont began to dominate possession as the half went on and nearly scored in spectacular fashion when defender Mael Davies’ long-range shot went narrowly wide.
Both sides had big chances to score late on but McLaggon came the closest after yet another bright run, but his tame shot was saved well by Morris.
Barry Town United manager Gavin Chesterfield:
“I think a point is a fair result.
“The best chances of the game have probably fallen to us but if you’d given me a point before the game after last week’s result then obviously I would have taken it.
“I said to the boys ‘we are in a hole after last week and we know it’s not good enough by our standards and we haven’t been good enough by our standards all season’, but I think today they’ve shown a hell of a good response.”
Penybont manager Rhys Griffiths:
“I thought without the ball we played really well and worked really hard but with the ball we lacked a little bit of quality in the final third.
“Barry set up really well defensively and it was tough to break them down but when we did we got into some really good areas and just lacked that little bit of quality to finish them off and get the goal.”
Barry Town midfielder Theo Wharton:
“None of us are happy with where we are in the league.
“We know we can do better, it’s not where we want to be so it’s important now we finish the season as strong as we can.”
Barry Town remain 10th in the table, four points above 11th place Haverfordwest County and the relegation zone.
Penybont, meanwhile, stay in 2nd.
There is one game week remaining in the Cymru Premier phase one before the league splits into the top six and bottom six.
Barry will be in the bottom six and will need to avoid relegation to the Cymru South League.
Barry Town next face Caernarfon Town on February 26 in the final game of phase one.
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