Barry Town Ladies Development 3 - Cardiff City Development 2

THE Barry Town Ladies Development team went into this local derby fixture against Cardiff City Development team looking for their first win of the season with recent performances not showing true reward in the league table.

On a cold evening at Jenner Park Stadium, Barry put in a dogged and determined performance to notch their first win of the season with a tense and eventful game against the Bluebirds.

Barry started the game at a fast tempo and took an early lead after eight minutes when Ffion Thomas pounced on a defensive error before rounding the goalkeeper and confidently side footing the ball home.

This gave a big lift in confidence for the home side and Thomas doubled Barry's lead soon after. A through ball over the top of the visiting defence saw Thomas use her explosive pace to get to the ball first before unleashing a first time shot from 20 yards past the hapless goalkeeper.

To their credit, Cardiff bounced back strongly and started causing problems for the Barry defence with some excellent combination play but often found goalkeeper Megan Davies in inspired form.

The Bluebirds got a goal back after 32 minutes when Barry failed to clear a corner and a first time shot from the edge of the penalty area was smashed home to make it 2 - 1.

Cardiff then grabbed an equaliser just before half-time again from a set play with a near post header making it 2 - 2.

Rather than feel deflated having squandered a two goal lead, Barry started the second half brightly, with Thomas a constant nuisance and it was her who sealed a fine hat-trick as she once again ran onto a through ball and smashed the ball home to make it 3 - 2 to the hosts.

Cardiff piled on the pressure but Barry stood firm and resolute with numerous blocks, headers, clearances and a string of fine saves from Davies. With Cardiff pushing further players forward, Barry themselves had chances late on with the industrious Lucy Horrigan and Thomas going close with efforts just wide.

The final whistle went to seal a great 3 - 2 win in what was a fine team effort and manager Francesca Howorth will be delighted with all the players and will hope to build on this performance in the coming weeks.