BARRY Town United are off and running in this year's JD Welsh Premier League, with supporters treated to an absorbing 3-2 win over Bala Town at Jenner Park.

The Sunday afternoon fixture marked the first time Barry had scored a victory over the 2017 Welsh Cup winners, though the visitors from Maes Tegid would see their hopes dashed in the most unorthodox fashion; crumbling at the end of this exciting encounter, as the hosts turned their positive play into precious points.

With Barry boas Gavin Chesterfield making just one change from the 5-1 defeat at TNS, forward Jonathan Hood came in for midfielder Marcus Jones to give the Town's starting XI a distinctly attacking flavour.

It appeared though that Barry were in for a difficult day when an unmarked Chris Venables headed home from Henry Jones' free-kick to notch a soft opener for the travelling Lakesiders, as early as the 12th minute.

However, Town would weather this initial storm, before levelling in the 33rd minute as Hood fired a confident, low effort from a tight angle into the bottom corner.

The turnaround was complete in first-half stoppage-time, as newcomer Tom Fry lifted in a sublime free-kick from distance, leaving established Bala Town goalkeeper Ashley Morris reeling at his near post.

Scored from a re-take, Fry's fine finish saw he and father Chris Fry become the first father and son to have netted for Barry in the Welsh Premier League, with Chris opening his account in August of 1999.

Into the second period, Barry looked to take on a 3-1 advantage when striker Kayne McLaggon put away Chris Hugh's cross; only for the North Walians to be controversially spared by the linesman's offside flag.

There was no such luck though for Bala in the 75th minute of plat, when Sean Smith saw red for a second bookable offence; the former Wrexham FC defender wiping out Barry's spritely Macauley Southam-Hales.

The Lakesiders had not yet thrown in the towel and they would equalise with eight minutes remaining, as Venables capitalised on further defensive frailties to head in his and Bala's second goal of the afternoon.

At two-apiece, one might then be forgiven for thinking the game's talking points had already been and gone.

Far from it, Barry quickly took what would prove a decisive lead, with Clayton Green's box-bound delivery zipping by substitute Drew Fahiya before striking the arm of McLaggon and ricocheting into the Bala net.

As a confused McLaggon celebrated, a handful of the Bala XI took their protests to the referee, who stayed firm in the decision this bizarre goal should stand.

By the time of the restart, Evan Horwood had picked up the day's second red and Venables would soon join him in the changing rooms after collecting a second yellow, leaving bemused Bala to finish with eight men.

To his credit, manager Colin Caton cut a composed figure in the post-match media, while his counterpart Chesterfield will no doubt remember the decisions that went against his side at a similar point of last season.

Despite the controversy, Barry were ultimately good value for their points on Sunday, showing a steel that might have been missing at times last campaign and getting the job done against a Bala team expected to contend for the European places again come spring.

After anding-dong contest to say the least and one that will live in the memory, Barry will travel to Llanelli this Friday (24th August) to face a Reds side who collected their own first win of the league season last weekend.

Trailing 2-0 at Cefn Druids after their truly disastrous opening day defeat to Connah's Quay, Llanelli rallied to record a spirited 3-2 win at The Rock and will hope to continue their momentum on home soil this Friday.

Kick-off at Stebonheath Park is at the earlier time of 7.35pm, with live TV coverage of the match on S4C (in Welsh and English) and digital platforms from 7.30pm.