Premier Division

Barry Athletic 5 - SP Construction 0

THE first team were playing their first game at the Athletic Ground this season and hoping to keep the recent league form going which have seen three wins from the last four games.

New signing Jake Oaten went straight into the team and made his intentions clear after only 45 seconds when a long ball was expertly flicked on by T Caton allowing Oaten to calmly flick the ball over the oncoming defenders head then over the 'keeper to make it 1-0.

It was 2-0 not long after when great pressing work from Leach in midfield pushed the defender into a mistake with T Caton making no mistake from 20 yards placing the ball into the bottom corner.

Davies in the home goal was called upon twice making superb one on one saves from the SP striker. The score at half-time was 2-0 to the Athletic.

The call at half-time was that the next goal would be all important. If the home side scored it would probably kill the game off but if it went with the away side it would let them back into the game.

Athletic playing their free flowing attacking football took the game to the away side, twice coming close in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. N Gratton was then called upon defensively making a fantastic clearance off the line to keep the score at 2-0.

Gratton was a hero at one end and then back to cover the other. Lining up a trade mark free kick from 25 yards out the crowd thought he must be crazy attempting a shot from that distance. Seconds later their jaws dropped to the floor in amazement with the ball flying through the air like a bullet and into the top corner. Another one to add to the collection. Changes were then made with Stradling, B Jones and L Jones coming off the bench and it was Stradling who bagged the fourth goal following up from good play by T Caton and J Oaten down the right.

The scoring was completed by T Caton delightfully finishing from 20 yards into the bottom corner past the stranded 'keeper.

This was another positive performance by the ever improving Athletic first team with the defensive unit of Gratton, Davies, Griffiths and Giles looking solid all game with Hammill, Williams and Fudgie supplying the ammunition for the strikers. Barry Athletic's thanks go to SP for a highly competitive and fair game and they wish them all the best for the season.

Division 2

Cadoxton Imps 2 - Barry Athletic 2

This top-of-the-table clash lived up to expectations and delivered end to end entertainment for the crowd at the Butts Field.

The Imps started the brightest, showing that they turned up to play football and were second in the table for a reason.

Athletic players struggled to get involved in the game and it was the Imps who took the lead on 20 minutes. A defensive mix up was the cause for another Imps goal a short while later seeing the Athletic going in at half-time 2-0 down.

Athletic manager, Jeff Howells, kept his team calm at the break and reassured them that their time would come. The Athletic came back onto the pitch like a different team.

With mounting pressure on the Imps defence Danny Morgan met a cross with a stunning volley that nestled into the top corner and the Athletic were back in the game. With Jordan Williams now winning the midfield battle and entertaining the crowd with Cristiano Ronaldo like tricks and flicks the Athletic were soon level after the referee awarded a penalty for a push in the back from an Imps defender.

Ben Pearce calmly stroked the ball home to make it 2-2. With Billy Gratton now causing chaos amongst the tired Imps defence he was unlucky not to get a winner after a fine save from their 'keeper.

A fair result in a highly entertaining game, thanks go to the Imps for a great game and a special mention to young referee, Jack Phillips, who kept control of a game that was high in drama.

This coming Saturday the Athletic Ground hosts a local derby with neighbours Island Marine. The clubhouse will be showing the Wales rugby game at 4.45pm, all welcome.