Second-half horror show for the Linnets (From Barry And District News)

Second-half horror show for the Linnets

BARRY FC provided their own second half horror show for the Halloween weekend, as Penarth Saints booked their place in Round Two of the Barry Cup.

Failing to win at home for the fourth time this season, the Linnets again slumped to defeat after their first-half form could not be sustained for the full 90 minutes.

It will come as a massive disappointment to Barry supporters who at least imagined a Cup run would serve to offset a somewhat hit and miss League campaign.

Alas, it was not to be, and the young club again found that the sheer experience of other teams will take a while to overcome.

Starting off brightly enough, Barry raced into an eighth minute lead

when Ben Taylor, noticing he was out on his own on the left side of Saints' penalty box, turned a defender and scooped an angled shot up and over the goalkeeper for a spectacular opening goal.

It's a rare event when Barry take the lead, and it was hoped that this would be used as a firm base from which to launch attack after attack.

However, when Saints equalised 15 minutes later after some excellent one touch passing from the halfway line, Barry knew they were in a Cup tie.

In fairness, Barry didn't let their heads drop, and when a Taylor header took them into a 37th minute lead which they held on to until the break, supporters were looking forward to an equally entertaining second half.

As it turned out, supporters were thoroughly entertained in the second half, but the only problem being the ones most entertained were those from Penarth.

With chances very early on and then very late on in the half for Barry, the second half belonged to Penarth Saints.

Damien Lack misjudged a cross into the box and Saints' were level within minutes, and then on the hour mark the visitors had pushed into a 3-2 lead that Barry never really appeared to able to claw back.

With midfield service drying up, and the defence having more holes than a tea bag, Barry were starved of any genuine chances in the second half and the club was out of the Cup at the first attempt.

There's no game this weekend, but all fans are urged to attend the meeting below, at which the future plans of the club will be discussed. Questions from the floor will be welcomed.