Barry make it back to back home wins with a professional 2-1 win over Newtown AFC.
An Ollie Hulbert header along with an own goal from the visitors saw the Town over the line against Newtown AFC at Jenner Park.
Barry stamped their authority on the game early in a first 45 minutes filled with good opportunities. In-form Ieuan Owen won a free kick in a promising area on six minutes and Robbie Wilmott got on the end of the resulting ball to almost put the Town ahead.
A returning Callum Sainty battled well with Newtown’s Robert Evans and an imposing tackle marked a strong first game back for the defender.
Star striker Ollie Hulbert was wreaking havoc on the visitor’s defence and his 12th minute cross narrowly missed the outstretched leg of Owen.
Another moment of quality saw Ellis Williams drive with the ball from deep in his own half to eventually find Hulbert whose tricky flick set up another excellent cross, this time from Ryan Kavanagh.
The Town’s breakthrough came after 21 minutes, as Hulbert started and finished a glorious attack. His ball out wide to Owen Cuddihy found its way back to him from a pinpoint cross that he guided inside the back post with a delicate header.
The striker almost turned provider just a minute later with a sharp cross to Owen who saw his effort saved by Schwarzer Garcia in the red’s net. Garcia could only parry into the path of Kavanagh who battled hard to get a shot off but his attempt struck the keeper from point blank range.
Barry continued to run riot as chances for Owen and Kavanagh respectively almost doubled the hosts lead before the half.
Newtown’s first opportunity came in the form of a long-range volley from Robert Evans. His strike called Liam Armstrong into action for the first time, but he covered his near post well on what proved to be a quiet day for the Town’s shot stopper.
The Town kept the pressure on in the second half and the 53rd minute saw Michael George’s shot blocked, and Sainty brought down in the box shortly after but appeals for a penalty were waved away.
Wilmott found George again a few minutes later and his ferocious cross was desperately unlucky to not find a teammate.
The persistence paid off for Barry in the 58th minute when Cuddihy’s cross was turned into his own net by James Rainbird to deservedly double their lead.
Another barrage of crosses ensued, the best of which being from George to Owen who got up well, but his header looped just over.
Jason Oswell and Aaron Willliams both sent shots goalwards for Newtown, but neither attempt caused Armstrong any danger.
A free kick from Wilmott on 74 minutes was turned away in the area by a sea of red shirts and Barry went agonisingly close again when substitute Kayne McLaggon’s shot was destined for the bottom corner but a heroic goal line clearance from George Hughes denied the Town a third goal of the night.
Armstrong was called into action when a Shane Sutton cross floated into the box, but the ‘keeper dealt with it well to turn it over the bar.
The visitors grabbed a consolation goal in the final minute of normal time after a bouncing ball was turned home by Aaron Williams, but the Town hung on for a crucial win to extend their lead over Connah’s Quay to five points.
Barry can pile even more pressure on the Nomads as they face off next time out on Sunday 13th of April in what will be a huge clash in the race for the playoff spot.
