By Ashley Cox

ANOTHER Jonathan Hood super strike gave Barry the derby day spoils, as the Jenner Park side battled back to beat JD Cymru Premier new boys Penybont 2-1 on Friday night at a sodden KYMCO Stadium.

Over 500 spectators braved hours of torrential rain to witness the hosts’ top flight debut in person, while others watched on S4C, as the teams contested Bridgend’s first-ever televised football match.

After a high-octane first-half performance put Barry on the back foot, Penybont gave their soaked supporters something to cheer in the 49th minute, as Kane Owen tucked away the promoted side’s maiden JD Cymru Premier goal, in front of the clubhouse end.

With Evan Press penalised for a nudge on Curtis Hutson, Owen stepped up for the spotkick and sent goalkeeper George Radcliffe the wrong way, before sliding across the slick 3G surface in celebration.

However, Penybont’s lead would be fleeting, with Kayne McLaggon equalising for Barry a mere five minutes later, after bamboozling three defenders and the goalkeeper with some sublime footwork.

On countless other occasions, McLaggon’s effort would have been heralded as the goal of the game.

Instead, hitman Hood’s spectacular shot in the 65th minute would prove the moment of the match, ultimately settling the derby in Barry’s favour, while solidifying his spot in the Sgorio highlight reels.

Weighing up a long-range crack after a thwarted corner was headed from the area, Hood combined superb technique and power to ripple the Penybont net, sending Barry’s travelling supporters wild.

Whether Hood is staging his own personal Goal of the Month contest or not is unknown, but the former Port Talbot Town marksman’s headline-grabbing effort would be worth its weight in gold.

Though Jordan Cotterill hit the woodwork in the latter stages, Barry were unable to kill off the game with a decisive third, before Cotterill himself was dismissed for a second booking in the 90th minute.

Referee Iwan Griffith, fresh from officiating Manchester United’s pre-season clash with AC Milan in Cardiff, then produced his red card once more, sending a substituted Hood packing from the dugout; though it was his moment of magic on the pitch for which this game will be best remembered.

With Hood and Cotterill subsequently unavailable for Friday’s upcoming home opener with Aberystwyth Town, Barry boss Gavin Chesterfield, who celebrated his 40th birthday at the weekend, will now look to shuffle the deck, with new recruits Eli Phipps and Keyon Reffell among those contending for starts.

The Seasiders, one of only two teams with unbroken membership of the Welsh top flight since its formation in 1992, come to Barry this Friday evening after beating Carmarthen Town 3-2 on opening day.

Kick-off between Barry and Aberystwyth is at 7.45pm, while the action continues at Jenner Park on Bank Holiday Monday, with European contenders Bala the Town’s opponents in a 2.30pm kick-off.

Admission for these JD Premier Cymru fixtures is available on the day, via the clubhouse, Barry and Gladstone Road turnstiles, with each match priced at £8 (adults), £5 (concessions) and £3 (children).