Linnets get off the mark with point in first game (From Barry And District News)

Linnets get off the mark with point in first game

BARRY Football Club kicked off their first ever Vale of Glamorgan League campaign last Saturday with a creditable 1-1 draw against a strong Llantwit Major side.

In a hugely enjoyable game that began in warm sunshine, the game was played out in a tremendous spirit, with both sides showing their ability to have passing and flowing football even at this level.

It was excellent to see so many familiar faces in the sizeable crowd at the Windmill Lane playing fields in Llantwit, and what a tremendous boost to the fledgling Linnets that the new club came away with an away point. Barry FC are off the mark.

Having watched Barry FC's pre-season friendlies to the likes of Cwmaman and Sully, and their early FAW Trophy exit to Swansea League side Ragged School, this was easily the most competent display from the Linnets thus far, and they were able to put Llantwit under some serious pressure at times.

Not that Barry had it all their own way, of course. In fact, in a keenly contested first half, Llantwit perhaps shaded it as far as chances were concerned, with Damien Lack in the Barry goal again showing what an asset he is to the club.

However, it was Llantwit who scored first, in the early minutes of the second half, after a great breakaway move down the right-wing.

The Barry support was a bit sullen, but crucially this wasn't reflected on the pitch as player-manager Ashley Griffiths distilled a real urgency in the Barry players to get at least something out of the tie.

Barry pressed and soon after got their reward. A fantastic cross in from the left was met by the head of young Ben Taylor, who flicked the ball neatly past the outstretched arms of the Llantwit keeper to send the Barry fans wild with delight.

That's how the score remained until the final whistle, and Barry FC had finally got their footballing career off to a solid start.

Barry played Colcot FC on Tuesday, again in the League, and this coming Saturday The Linnets will clash with Master Mariner, at Jenner Park, with a 2.15pm kick-off.