Aberystwyth Town 0 Barry Town United 1

BARRY Town United won their third successive JD Welsh Premier League game at the weekend, maintaining their place in the top three, while drawing level on points with the champions TNS.

A 16th-minute strike from newcomer Clayton Green, his first in Barry colours, was enough to secure a comfortable 1-0 victory at Aberystwyth on Saturday, though an exuberant performance from the visitors warranted more goals than the slender scoreline might suggest.

Playing at a lively tempo, with effective use of the wide men and a robust centre midfield, in-form Barry would take the game to the Seasiders, though Aberystwyth did carve out a chance in the early stages; Matthew Jones forcing Luke Cooper to defend an empty goal, after Mike Lewis punched clear.

Ironically then, it was an Aberystwyth Town attack that would initiate the game’s only goal, with sparkling Macauley Southam-Hales collecting a ball that had quirkily rebounded off his own corner flag and right-footing it downfield, allowing Troy Greening to nod it on to teammate Modou Touray.

Spreading the ball wide to Kayne McLaggon, the club’s leading marksman of 2017-18 would just about keep the ball in play, before returning it to Touray, who demonstrated his considerable ability by eluding three defenders, while feeding a waiting Clayton Green on the cusp of the penalty area.

Green then showed poise and awareness to outfox his marker, dropping a shoulder to leave his man sprawling and give himself space and time to shoot a left-footed effort past goalkeeper Leigh Jenkins.

Barry would create a hatful of further opportunities, with Jonathan Hood firing wide and Cooper heading against the crossbar, before substitute and club captain Jordan Cotterill almost replicated his goalscoring feat of one week earlier, carrying the ball forward before shooting left of the target.

Both Touray and McLaggon would also have their chances, but Aber remained in the game until the death, albeit fended off by a man of the match performance from Lewis Cosslett, who was a rock at the heart of the Barry Town defence in his first appearance of the JD Welsh Premier League season.

With five wins and a draw from their first eight fixtures, Barry now sit alongside The New Saints on 16 points, only two behind pacesetters Connah’s Quay, who were beaten at Jenner Park in August.

Town return home on Saturday 13th October, when Carmarthen are the visitors, but will first head back to mid Wales this coming Saturday, as they take on Newtown at Latham Park (2.30pm kick-off).

With the Robins themselves coming into the game on a three-game winning streak, an intriguing encounter then awaits against one of the JD Welsh Premier League’s two ever-present clubs.