FIRST-HALF efforts from hometown duo Ryan Newman and Kayne McLaggon put travelling Barry Town United in the driver's seat for a European play-off place on Saturday, as the Jenner Park side battled to an entertaining 2-1 win at Newtown in the JD Welsh Premier League.

With Barry having not claimed a victory at Latham Park in more than 15 years, manager Gavin Chesterfield will be delighted with his team’s second consecutive three points; with the Town now inching ahead of Llandudno in the play-off chase, with a two-point lead and a game in hand on the North Walians.

As fate would have it, Llandudno will be the next visitors to Jenner Park this coming Saturday (24 February), with the match kicking off at 4.15pm to allow fans to watch Wales’ Six Nations exploits.

Back to the round ball, the Town’s weekend win in mid Wales has opened a healthy 15-point gap between them and the relegation zone, but the form shown in their opening Phase Two fixtures suggests a play-off spot and a shot at the final European place might well be within their reach.

At Latham Park, Barry wasted little time in outlining their intentions; Chris Hugh lifting a free-kick into the Newtown area with nine minutes on the clock and while Kieran Mills-Evans would clear the Robins’ lines, the ball bounced into the path of Town midfielder Ryan Newman, who struck a sweet half-volley from distance into the bottom corner.

In a fizzing opening 20 minutes, the hosts would soon pull themselves level; goalkeeper Jack Perry’s clearance helped along by teammate Neil Mitchell to Ethan Jones, who got the better of the Town’s Luke Cooper and fed former Wrexham forward Nick Rushton at the edge of the Barry box.

Rushton showed composure to elude the challenge of Curtis Watkins and fend off Macauley Southam-Hales, finishing past Mike Lewis to equalise for the JD Welsh Premier ever-presents.

However, the hosts would be level for a mere three minutes, as determined Barry regained their lead, showing a degree of resilience that could serve them well in the business end of the season.

Continuing the positive start to his Jenner Park career, recent signing Jonathan Hood was the instigator, propelling a long throw into the box that caused the Robins all manner of problems.

Getting away from his marker, Jordan Cotterill quickly popped up with a header to Kayne McLaggon, positioned five yards from goal. McLaggon then controlled, turned his man and powered his effort home from close range, taking his tally for the current JD Welsh Premier League season up to 12.

In the second half, Barry would have a handful of opportunities to extend their advantage, with Cotterill forcing a save out of Perry before Lewis tipped a header over the bar at the other end.

At one stage, the impressive Newman did well to set up Cotterill, who was unfortunate to not be awarded a penalty by referee Mark Petch after Mills-Evans crashed into the ex-Ely Rangers man.

Elsewhere, goalkeeper Lewis demonstrated his worth again, making an important save with his feet.

Later, Southam-Hales found himself taking a tumble; the former Cardiff youngster getting the better of both Callum Roberts and substitute Joe Kenton, before a Mills-Evans arm appeared to intervene. Once again, Petch would wave away any penalty claims, keeping the contest compellingly poised.

Into the final stages, Cotterill used his energy and flair to dance through a packed Newtown midfield, playing in teammate Hood, whose final effort from the tightest of angles ran narrowly wide of goal.

Meanwhile, the Robins would remain a threat to the final whistle, with Alex Fletcher spurning a long-range attempt, before Roberts’ free-kick deep into stoppage time was spectacularly saved by Lewis.

For Barry, this tenth win of the league campaign offered further signs of encouragement, though Chesterfield will be wary of complacency ahead of Llandudno’s visit to Jenner Park this weekend.

In Phase One, a single strike from Mike Williams in first-half stoppage time handed Llandudno a 1-0 win over visitors Barry in September, before goals from Hugh and McLaggon secured some retribution for the Town at Jenner Park in November.

Admission to this Saturday’s showdown between Barry and Llandudno is £7 (adult), £5 (senior citizen) and £3 (child) at the turnstiles, with the clubhouse open before kick-off for the rugby international and local band The Side Effects playing a set after the JD Welsh Premier match.