Author Archives: Hannah

MATCH REPORT: TOWN WELL BEATEN BY PONTY

BARRY 0-3 PONTYPRIDD

Jenner Park, Barry / JD Cymru Premier / Saturday 3 February 2024

Phase Two of the Cymru Premier season got off to the worst possible start for Barry, who were well beaten at home by Pontypridd.

Despite a strong line-up, Barry lacked the sharpness and competitive edge needed to take three points.

The result leaves Town in ninth place, five points behind a play-off place but also only seven points away from a relegation spot.

Barry came to close to scoring after six minutes when Lucas Tomlinson’s shot from the edge of the box cannoned off a defender and wide of the goal.

However, the visitors took a fifteenth minute lead through striker Ben Ahmun.

A long ball over the top saw Barry goalkeeper Luc Rees come to clear, only to lose the race to the Ponty striker, who lifted the ball over Rees before slotting into the empty net.

Five minutes later, Barry came close to equalising, with Sam Snaith knocking the ball down and Oli Hulbert firing across the face of the goal from the edge of the box.

After an hour, Ahmun nearly doubled his tally, outpacing the Barry defence but shooting across goal, rather than on target.

Nevertheless, Ponty made it 2-0 a few minutes later. Owain Jones saw his shot saved by Luc Rees, but scored from close range from the resulting corner, getting in front of the Barry defence to head home.

The visitors continued to push, with Keston Davies going close from a free-kick which went just wide, and Luc Rees saving his effort from close range.

Eventually the pressure told, and Pontypridd scored a third. Barry gave up possession cheaply in midfield and, although Luc Rees saved the initial shot from Ahmun, the ball stayed in play and fell to Owain Pritchard, who netted comfortably.

Barry travel to Penybont on Saturday 10 February for a 12:45pm kick-off, with the match being screened live online by Sgorio.

Barry Town United confirm management team changes

Barry Town United confirm a change to their on field management structure, Steve Jenkins will become Director of Football and first team coach at the club due to work commitments.

As a result of this change Jonathan Jones will become our new First Team Men’s Head Coach and Damian Flynn our Assistant.

We’re very much looking forward to Phase Two kick off this Saturday at home to Pontypridd United.

2023/24 JD Cymru Premier Phase Two fixtures released

Barry Town’s Phase Two fixtures for the 2023/24 JD Cymru Premier season have been confirmed.

Play-Off Conference

Matchday 23 / Saturday 3 February, 13:00

Barry Town v Pontypridd United

Matchday 24 / Saturday 10 February, 12:45

Penybont v Barry Town

Matchday 25 / Friday 23 February, 19:45

Barry Town v Haverfordwest County

Matchday 26 / Saturday 2 March, 14:30

Aberystwyth Town v Barry Town

Matchday 27 / Saturday 9 March, 14:30

Barry Town v Colwyn Bay

Matchday 28 / Saturday 16 March, 14:30

Pontypridd United v Barry Town

Matchday 29 / Friday 29 March, 12:30

Barry Town v Penybont

Matchday 30 / Friday 5 April, 19:45

Haverfordwest County v Barry Town

Matchday 31 / Saturday 13 April, 14:30

Barry Town v Aberystwyth Town

Matchday 32 / Sunday 21 April, 14:15

Colwyn Bay v Barry Town

Town Long-standing Player Departs

Barry Town United can confirm that Troy Greening has today departed the club by mutual consent following an incredible 11 years service.

The Town’s stalwart played 224 games for the club, netting 17 goals from midfield during his time.

After debuting at Pontardawe Town back in 2013, Greening has since won four promotions, winning four league titles and qualifying for Europe twice in his 11-year tenure. He has seen it all and more with our club.

A central figure and key cog in the system for Barry for a number of years, the Town’s number eight made 11 appearances this season.

After 21 appearances in last season’s Cymru South winning campaign, Greening played his landmark 200th game for the club in December 2022 against Cwmbran Celtic, the same opposition he played his 100th Town match against in 2017.

We’d like to thank Troy for his time, efforts, loyalty and dedication to our club and we wish him and his family the best in his future. You’ll always be welcome in the stands at Jenner Park Troy.

Will Richards Becomes Barry’s Second January Transfer

Barry Town United have announced the signing of Will Richards from National League North side, Gloucester City.

The incoming 32-year-old joins earlier announcement Lee Lucas as a January signing and will add a vast level of experience to the Town squad, subject to international clearance.

The centre-back and Town’s new number 24 has gained 13 years of experience playing around step one and two of non-league football in England after his departure from football league club, Shrewsbury Town.

Richards also boasts playing in the FA Cup proper, scoring in a first round tie before facing League One’s Stevenage in round two when playing for Stourbridge.

Before returning to his home nation, signing for Barry, Richards has picked up over 80 appearances in the National League South and North combined for numerous clubs, most recently Gloucester City.

Welcoming Will to the club, Jenkins has said: “I’ve known of Will for a long time and tried to get him at Hereford. He’s a leader, great character, massively experienced and will be a fabulous addition to the group.”

The club would like to thank Gloucester City for their cooperation with the transfer.

MATCH REPORT: DOMINANT TOWN CRUISE PAST NEWTOWN IN 2024 OPENER

Barry Town kicked off 2024 in style with a convincing 4-0 win over Newtown in the JD Cymru Premier at Jenner Park.

The dominant performance against the fourth placed Robins was led by an unlikely double and an assist from Ben Blythe. Sam Snaith and Ollie Hulburt also secured places on the scoresheet as the Town cruised to victory in Steve Jenkins’ absence.

Blythe opened his account for the Town on 18 minutes with a Rhys Davies cross trickling across the six-yard box for the Swansea loanee to smartly find the bottom corner.

The centre-back completed his brace from a Barry corner with a powerful header. A Jamie Veale corner had the centre-back rising highest to double the hosts’ lead.

Snaith was able to seal three points for the Town inside the hour mark, another Veale corner finding the Town striker to take his goal tally to two goals in two league starts. The 23-year-old’s first league start since August 19.

Ollie Hulburt rubbed salt in the wound when he added a 71^st minute winner. After threatening breaking the line of defence throughout the match, he eventually made it count, slotting home Blythe’s through ball for 4-0.

After a stretched opening few minutes, Ollie Hulburt beat the offside trap with Callum Sainty showing great vision from the back, the Town striker could only force a corner with a good save from Andrew Wycherley.

It was déjà vu for Hulburt ten minutes later. A ball over the top allowed the 21-year-old to demonstrate his burst in acceleration, denied by a brilliant Wycherley save.

Newtown’s chances were few and far between although a looping cross had Louis Robles testing Luc Rees able to make a comfortable save.

Aiden Lewis was given a golden opportunity to double the Town’s lead late in the first half when he intercepted a misplaced goal kick, spraying his effort from outside the box.

League top goalscorer, Aaron Williams had a chance to reduce the deficit in the second half when the ball fell from the sky on the penalty spot. Getting his technique all wrong, the Newtown striker couldn’t find the target.

Despite running riot so freely throughout, Barry couldn’t secure a fifth despite continuing to push in late minutes. A darting run from Mike George down the right-wing found Keenan Patten in an unlikely position in the box but he couldn’t beat the Robins’ ‘keeper.

Barry Town United: Rees, Press ©, Sainty, Blythe, Davies (Hugh 85’), Patten, Veale, Lewis (Tomlinson 52’), Hulburt (Huggins 85’), Snaith (McLaggon 78’).

Subs not used: Tucker, Greening, Sylvester.

Newtown: Wycherley, Sears, Mills-Evans (Hughes 78’), Sutton ©, R. Evans, Robles, Ismael (Boakye 65’), Williams, Cowans, Jones, D. Smith.

Subs not used: Ussher, Sharp, C. Smith, Downs, Taylor.

Goals: Blythe 19’, 43’, Snaith 59’, Hulburt 71’.

Yellow Cards: Patten 82’. Cowans 50’, D. Smith 58’.

Town Sign Lee Lucas from Taunton

Barry Town United have announced the signing of former Wales under-21 international Lee Lucas from National League South outfit, Taunton Town.

The incoming 31-year-old adds a wealth of experience to the Town midfield, boasting appearances in the English football league.

The midfielder started his career with Swansea City where he gained caps at Wales under-17, 19 and 21 level before loan spells with League Two sides Burton Albion and Cheltenham Town.

After a season with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, Lucas eventually settled in his native country, making over 60 appearances for Merthyr Town before his most recent three-year spell with Taunton Town in the South-West of England where he has made 13 appearances this season.

Lucas is Steve Jenkins’ first signing of the January transfer window subject to international clearance.

Welcoming Lee to the club, Jenkins has said: “I’ve always been an admirer of Lee as a footballer, he’s hugely experienced with loads of quality and fits the profile of player we want at the club to take us forward.”

On his signing, Lee Lucas commented: “I’m delighted to have joined such a historic club in Welsh football. I’m excited to link up with Steve and to help the club push up the table as we step into Phase two of the campaign.”

The club would like to thank Taunton Town for their cooperation with the transfer.

MATCH REPORT: TOWN EDGE PAST GUILSFIELD

Barry 1-0 Guilsfield

Jenner Park, Barry / JD Welsh Cup Round 3 / Saturday 11 November 2023

Barry Town booked a place in the last sixteen of the Welsh Cup thanks to a 94^th minute match-winner against Guilsfield from substitute Sam Snaith.

Breaking down the right, Kayne McLaggon’s cross saw Snaith get ahead of his marker to volley the ball home from close range.

Saturday’s match was the first ever meeting between the two sides, with Barry hosting the mid-Wales club, who are currently sixth in Cymru North, a division below the home side.

It was a stronger Barry side than recent weeks, with defenders Chris Hugh and Curtis McDonald returning from injury to start the game.

Hugh had the game’s first real chance, his seventeenth minute shot from the left cannoning back off the post.

At the other end, Guilsfield’s Andy Evans was proving a handful, heading one chance over the bar and forcing Barry ‘keeper Luc Rees into action with another effort.

Although dominating first half possession, Barry failed to find the net. The best chances before the break fell to Ollie Hulbert and Jamie Veale, but both were saved by visiting keeper, Robbie Williams.

In the second half, Barry’s first chance again came to Chris Hugh. Jordan Cotterill laid the ball back for Hugh to shoot, but his effort went over the bar.

Barry then hit the woodwork for a second time. From a corner, a Callum Sainty shot took a deflection and hit the bar. The attack continued until an acrobatic effort from McLaggon was saved by the ‘keeper.

Guilsfield also had their chances, with Evans again shooting from distance and Izaack Lambert seeing his header saved by Rees.

The visitors have won on penalties three times this season and, with time ticking away, they seemed to accept a goal-less draw and were preparing for spot kicks.

Then came McLaggon’s cross, and Snaith’s match-winning goal.

Barry travel to Caernarfon Town on Sunday for an away match at the fifth placed club in the Cymru Premier.

Share a Smile Campaign is back for 2023

In 2020 we launched our “Share a Smile Campaign“, which incredibly in its first year raised £8,500. The money raised that year bought Christmas gifts for over 130 children. In 2022 we grew our target and raised close to £15,000 giving presents to other 200 children.

We are delighted to now launch our 2023 campaign which will one again see us raise more money to make Christmas extra special for those families who need it most. Every penny of the money raised will be used to purchase high quality toys and gifts which will be donated directly to the families that need it most in our community.

How are we going to do this?

The first team squad will once again be donating a percentage of their wages. Whilst all other sections of the club will be running their own training based challenges.

How can supporters help?

We have an ambitious fundraising target which we know supporters will want to help us hit. You can contribute via our Go Fund Me Page or by popping into the clubhouse. Supporters can donate as much or as little as they can. Every little helps to make a magical Christmas possible for those who need it the most. You have until December 8th to donate.

Our game against Aberystwyth on 4th November will become a Share a Smile official fundraising game and we’ll be sharing more details on that tomorrow.

We will be sharing lots of updates and photos of our fundraising activities over the coming weeks.

Please help us once again to share a smile this Christmas.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/share-a-smile-2023

MATCH REPORT: SPIRITED TOWN LOSE TO TNS

Barry 2-6 The New Saints

Jenner Park, Barry / JD Cymru Premier / Saturday 21 October 2023

Attendance: 340

The scoreline shows that Barry were well beaten by league leaders, The New Saints, but the match itself had a different feel.

After an hour, Barry had equalised to make it 1-1, but the professional side turned the screws and
scored five in a second half similar to Barry’s 6-0 win over Porthcawl last week.

In a frenetic start, the first chance came to Barry after less than thirty seconds, Keenan Patten firing
narrowly over the bar with a shot outside the box.

At the other end, goalkeeper Luc Rees pushed away an on target effort from Gary Brobbel.

Brobbel hit the post before Saints took a 20th minute lead. A Barry corner was cleared and Brad Young ran the length of the pitch before scoring past Rees. A frustrating goal to concede.

Rees was again on top form in saving from Young a few minutes later.

Just after an hour, Barry levelled. This time, TNS failed to clear a near post corner and it bounced across the box for Ollie Hulbert to head in.

Sadly, that scoreline lasted only five minutes as Brobbel’s free-kick was headed in unchallenged by Danny Davies at the near post.

Suddenly, the ball found itself within the Barry six yard box with uncomfortably frequency, the Saints scoring four goals in a 15 minute spell.

Brad Young scored the third and Josh Daniels the fourth, both goal poaching within the six yard box as Barry failed to clear their lines.

A cross from Adrian Cieslewicz was turned into his own net by Barry defender Troy Greening as he tried to clear, while Young scored his hat-trick with the sixth goal.

Barry gained some consolation, with Hulbert’s 93rd minute header crossing the line, from Harrison Bright’s cross.

Barry now face two crunch Cymru Premier matches, Colwyn Bay away next Saturday then Aberystwyth at home on Saturday, 4th November.