Barry Town Ladies were looking to start their league campaign on a positive note for the 2017/18 season and were handed a tough start away to Penybont, who finished just behind Barry last season in third place.

Three players were making their competitive debuts for the first team, with sixteen year old Beth O'Donnell, alongside promoted development players Becky Cornelius and Becca Jones.

The Ladies got off to a flying start and after threatening on more than one occasion early on, they finally found the net. A superb move through the middle of the park saw Ellen Phillips finding striker Luca Laky to fire home after 10 minutes, last season's top scorer Laky looking in menacing form once again.

Barry were in confident mood and it wasn't long before the visitors doubled their lead.

The second goal involved another fine piece of football with O'Donnell driving down the right and finding Phillips, who squared the ball for the on-rushing Megan Bailey to hit an outside of the boot first time effort from the edge of the box into the top left corner.

Penybont then started to find their feet, going close on the counter on a few occasions. They were however unable to beat the outstanding Meg Davies, with the Barry keeper showing top class reflexes and great composure.

With half-time approaching, the referee awarded Barry a penalty for a blatant handball in the box and a chance to put Barry three up before the break. Emma Thompson stepped up, only to find the Penybont keeper equal to her powerful effort with a great save.

The second half followed a similar pattern with limited chances for the home side and Barry comfortable in possession, showing the form that enabled such a successful first season in the Women's Welsh League last year.

Barry's sturdy defence showed exactly why they had only conceded eight goals last season, and were well on course for another comfortable clean sheet with stand-in captain Emily Mortimore again showing her drive and will to win from the back. Debutant Becky Cornelius also complemented the back line assuredly.

Barry did conjure up a few decent chances in search of a third goal, with Becca Jones impressing in midfield and causing the home side problems with her forward movement. Tracey White, similarly, looked composed in the centre, while Naomi Coulson caused constant havoc down the left-hand side throughout the game.

With ten minutes to go, Barry finally got their third of the match with a brilliantly executed team goal.

Keeper Davies found Thompson with a short goal kick, who fed the ball forward to club captain Stevie Cook. Cook played the ball on to Bailey, who squared it to the right hand side into the path of substitute and debutant Robyn Facey.

Facey's drive forward down the right wing allowed her to square for Laky, who added her second goal of the game to seal an impressive start to the season.

Next week, ‘Town’ take the long trip to face West Wales outfit, Newcastle Emlyn.

Team:

1) Megan Davies

2) Emma Thompson

3) Becky Cornelius

4) Becca Jones

5) Emily Mortimore

6) Megan Bailey

7) Beth O'Donnell

8) Tracey White

9) Luca Laky

10) Ellen Phillips

11) Naomi Coulson

Subs

12) Robyn Facey

14) Jasmine Rowley

15) Abi Smyth

16) Molly Chapman

17) Stevie Cook