Winning run ends as Barry Town bow out of Welsh League Cup (From Barry And District News)

Winning run ends as Barry Town bow out of Welsh League Cup

8:20am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Sport

TREHARRIS ATHLETIC WESTERN 2 BARRY TOWN 1

BARRY TOWN'S five-match winning streak came to a screeching halt at the weekend with a 2-1 upset at Treharris Athletic Western in the Welsh League Cup.

Initially, the tie appeared a mismatch and, when towering defender Ryan Evans headed home from the game’s first corner to give Barry the lead within five minutes, a relatively straightforward outing appeared to be on the cards.

However, and to their infinite credit, Treharris endured the long spells of Barry domination - before finding their feet and gaining a foothold in what became a compelling cup tie.

With manager Gavin Chesterfield resting goalkeeper Dan Bradley, captain Dan Clare and top scorer TJ Nagi to name but three, the spine of the Barry starting XI bore an unfamiliar look. Nonetheless, Barry still had the quality to threaten; and were almost out of sight when a speculative effort from Lee Baldock bounced over off the crossbar and another from Josh Bell was ruled out for offside.

While Barry would have another goal chalked off and hit the post before half-time, this was as good as things got for the visitors.

With a confidence and cohesion belying their lowly league position, tireless Treharris played some fine passing football, and their endeavour soon bore results. Chasing a lost cause around the half hour mark, the hard-working Adam Alexander triggered panic between Barry defence and goalkeeper. The outcome was Craig Howells capitalising on the confusion and coolly slotting past an out-of-position Brendan Cropley from 20 yards for the equaliser.

Treharris were in the ascendancy, and their smart, sharp passing and link up play kept the match competitive and even heading into the break.

After the interval, the hosts continued where they left off and soon seized the lead when Howells headed in Alexander’s cross after a second defensive slip-up.

This gave Barry it all do, and Treharris were keen not to give an inch, with Matthew Sellick and Alun Thomas in the middle battling for every ball and the defensive duo of Ross Lewis and Matthew Vowles proving an impenetrable wall.

With a boisterous home crowd cheering them on, Treharris did more than enough to win the match – Barry sorely lacking ideas in the final third, despite a few late chances and substitutions.

Using his long throw as an added weapon, full debutant Bobby Briers tested the Treharris backline late on but they were more than up to the challenge and tidied up well.

In the dying moments, a breakthrough finally came when Geraint Goodridge burst forward. However, Goodridge opted against setting up a clean-through Christian Doidge, and the opportunity fizzled out; much to the chagrin of the travelling contingent!

The final whistle was greeted by jubilation in the stand, with Treharris securing a famous victory.

Applauded from the field, their commitment and attitude was first class, and they much deserved their progress into the third round.

For Barry, concentration switches back to all-important league matters; with the Dragons hosting newly-promoted Monmouth Town at Jenner Park on Saturday (2.30pm).

A win this weekend would keep Barry on top of the Welsh League table, and supporters are encouraged to turn out and cheer the boys back to winning ways.

With Nagi, Bradley, Clare and others set to return to the starting line-up, Barry followers will hope resting them in Treharris ultimately proves a fruitful gamble.