BARRY Town United Ladies recovered from going a goal down to snatch an important win at home to Penybont last weekend, scoring two second-half goals to seal the tie on a windy afternoon at Jenner Park.

Having defeated their opponents 3-0 on the opening day of the season, Barry were looking to maintain their recent form and put pressure on the sides at the top of the league table.

The first half was a close encounter with both teams having opportunities to take the lead. Barry controlled possession, but it was the visitors who went closest in the opening period with a fierce long range effort rattling the crossbar. Hannah Moger also went close for the home side, only to be denied by a smart save by the Penybont goalkeeper.

Barry’s Molly Chapman posed a regular threat while youngster Bethan O’Donnell worked hard to create opportunities from her right flank, but the home side were unable to break the deadlock prior to half-time.

The second half saw the game spring to life, with Penybont starting on the front foot and deservedly taking the lead early on. An excellent counter-attacking move was finished off calmly by their striker to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

To their credit, Barry seemed reinvigorated by the setback and the introduction of 16-year-old former Welsh Junior international, Kate Spargo, almost had an instant impact as she went close when racing onto O’Donnell’s cross.

After a lovely passage of play from Barry, it was Naomi Coulson who found the killer pass to unlock the visitors' defence for Spargo to race through, and she made no mistake with the finish to level the match at 1-1.

Barry started to take control of the game and pressed for a winner. The midfield of captain Stevie Cook and Becca Jones grew in influence and another youngster, 17-year-old Emma Cannon, was introduced for her home debut for the first team.

Emma has hit well into double figures for the young development team so far this season, with her hard work and humble approach paying dividends to earn her a call-up to the senior side.

And Cannon was to have an immediate impact, as her headed effort from a corner cannoned back off the post into the path of defender Rebecca Cornelius, who reacted first to make it 2-1.

With time running out, Penybont pressed in search of an equaliser but were restricted to two set-pieces which were easily cleared by the Barry backline, Cannon heading a way from danger on both occasions.

Barry held on for victory, moving them up into third in the Women’s Welsh League table with two game in hand.

Next week, the Ladies visit Caerphilly in the semi-finals of the South Wales FA Cup.

Squad v Penybont

1. Meg Davies

2. Emma Thompson

3. Becky Cornelius

4. Becca Jones

5. Emily Mortimore

6. Leah Davies

7. Beth O’Donnell

8. Stevie Cook (c)

9. Naomi Coulson

10. Molly Chapman

11. Hannah Moger

12. Robyn Facey

14. Kate Spargo

15. Abi Smyth

16. Emma Cannon

17. Frankie Taylor