Taffs Well 0

Barry Town United 2

CHAMPIONSHIP-CHASING Barry Town United reached the 50 point mark at the weekend, recording their fourth successive triumph in the Welsh League Division One to maintain their position on top of the pile.

After valuable victories over Port Talbot Town, Cambrian and Clydach Vale and Haverfordwest County, Gavin Chesterfield’s Town ran out 2 - 0 winners against Taffs Well at Rhiw’r Ddar, mirroring the outcome between the sides at Jenner Park in November.

In a competitive match contested on an unforgiving pitch, leaders Barry seized the advantage inside the first half, when in-form midfielder Louis Gerrard successfully converted from the penalty spot.

However, the Town would have to wait until the second to make the three points fully secure; substitute Jordan Cotterill shrugging off illness to float a superlative free kick into space, with returning teammate James Dixon connecting well to beat out-rushing goalkeeper Wyn Walters.

The visitors’ decisive second was Dixon’s 77th goal in Town colours, on what was the forward’s 150th appearance for the club; while at the opposite end, the Barry back four of Luke Cooper, Paul Morgan, Chris Hugh and Curtis Watkins helped goalkeeper Mike Lewis complete a fourth consecutive clean sheet, adding to his haul in a spotless March to date.

By completing a rare Welsh League double over the Wellmen, Barry extended their lead at the top of Division One to an encouraging six point margin, with chasing contenders Goytre, Cambrian and Caerau Ely all experiencing defeats on the weekend, to Monmouth Town, Undy Athletic and Ton Pentre respectively.

This Saturday afternoon sees fourth placed Caerau make the short trip to Jenner Park in a 2.30pm kick-off, while the sides in second and third collide in Gwent, as Goytre tackle Haverfordwest at Plough Road.

Admission to the match between Barry and Caerau Ely is the regular £5 at the turnstiles, with concessions available for senior citizens, students and the next generation of supporters.