Category Archives: Match Preview

Barry Town United vs Newport County — Preview

Barry Town United take on Sky Bet League Two opposition on Friday night with Newport County making the short trip to Jenner Park Stadium. This will be the second year running where Town take on The Exiles in pre season, Town came out 2–1 winners last year.

This is both sides final friendly before returning to competitive action next week. Town host Aberystwyth in the Nathaniel MG Cup next Saturday while County head to Barnet midweek in the Carabao Cup preliminary round.

So far in pre season Town have recorded wins over Newport City and Gloucester City. County have had a mixed bag in pre season so far with wins against Weston Super Mare, Pontypridd United, Worcester City and Undy AFC. County suffered a 3–1 defeat away to Torquay United last weekend and narrowly lost 1–0 to a strong Bristol City side behind closed doors on Tuesday.

New County manager David Hughes is no stranger to Barry Town having previously played and managed the club before leaving in 2013. Since then Hughes has gone on to work for both Cardiff City and Manchester United in the academy set ups. Hughes took the job at County in May replacing Nelson Jardim who left the club just before the end of the previous campaign.

Hughes isn’t the only link between both clubs with current Town man Robbie Willmott who made just under 300 appearences for County across 2 spells. Willmott was part of Newport’s FA Cup giant killings which saw County defeat sides like Leicester City, Middlesbrough and Leeds United. Willmott was also a key figure in the County side that forced Spurs to a FA Cup replay in 2018 after drawing 1–1 at Rodney Parade.

Newport have been pretty active in the window so far adding the likes of Michael Reindorf, Ged Garner, Nick Tzanev, Lee Jenkins and perhaps most notably Matt Smith who has 19 caps for Wales. County will be hoping these new signings can help the club kick on from last seasons 22nd place finish in League Two.

Ahead of the game I spoke with Newport fan Oliver Pughe to get a point a view from the County side of things. I started off by asking about new manager David Hughes. Oliver went on to say “From speaking to the new County Manager David Hughes at Newport’s 1–0 win away at Weston, it is important that this pre season campaign allows Hughes to gather a better understanding of his players as well as trying to carry out different tactics that could be used for the start of the season.”

I also asked Oliver about the upcoming season and how he thought County would get on. “Last year was disappointing but with a new manager and some real quality being added I don’t see why we can kick on and have a more comfortable season”.

Kick off is at 19:30 on Friday at Jenner Park Stadium.

Tickets available on the gate or via Fanbase here

Tierre Miller

Match Preview – Barry Town vs Briton Ferry

Barry Town vs Briton Ferry, proudly sponsored by VOG Fire and Alarms.

Barry Town will round up their league campaign against Briton Ferry on Saturday with a final outing at Jenner Park before the playoffs. The Town clinched the 7th playoff spot last time out with a 2-0 victory away to Connah’s Quay Nomads and by doing so buried the only team that were close enough to catch them. Goals from Ben Williams-Margetson and Ieuan Owen respectively nullified the Nomads and provided Barry with breathing room to prepare for the playoff fixture on the 26th of April.

Their opponents have not yet been confirmed, but they will face whoever finishes fourth in the Cymru Premier Championship Conference away from home.

The occasion will be made even more special after the recent news of captain Kayne McLaggon announcing that he will be leaving the club after an unforgettable eight seasons with the Town. Kayne has scored an incredible 128 goals in 245 appearances and has been a crucial part in Barry achieving European qualification twice. Saturday will mark Kayne’s final home game of his illustrious Jenner Park career and everyone at the club would like to thank him for his unwavering commitment. You can read more on the news here – Captain. Leader. Legend.

The prospect of three wins on the spin awaits the Town and hopes will be high with a strong record of four games unbeaten against this weekend’s opponents. Briton Ferry are coming off the back of a 2-1 loss at home to Flint Town and sit in fourth place, 17 points behind Barry.

McLaggon will look to finish his season strongly after scoring his fourth of the season two games ago at Flint Town. Player of the Month nominee Ieuan Owen has also excelled as of late, bagging five goals in his last five games and notably found the back of the net in the last meeting between the two sides.

With the playoff spot secured, spirits will be high at Jenner Park on Saturday.

Don’t forget there will also be a Family Fun Day taking place from 11:30-16:45 with lots of exciting activities for all ages!

Tickets available via Fanbase!

Match Preview – Final Away Day of the 2024/25 Campaign

Match Preview | Barry Town United vs Connah’s Quay Nomads | 13.04.25

By Archie Tooth

Barry Town hit the road for the final time this campaign with a trip to Connah’s Quay on Sunday.

The Town looks to extend its lead at the top of the relegation playoff, currently five points clear of this weekend’s opponents, who sit on 41 points.

With playoff football at stake, a draw or better would see Barry clinch a spot in the post-season tournament, making European football the ultimate prize. A feat not reached since the 2003/04 season.

Recent Form

The Town come into their penultimate fixture off the back of three wins in five games.

A notable 4-3 stoppage time win over Briton Ferry Llansawel AFC back in early March propelled the side into an action-packed month, earning wins over Aberystwyth Town (2-1) and most recently Newtown (2-1).

Our opposition overcame Llanelli in the semifinals of the FAW Welsh Cup in mid-March as they were on a four-game unbeaten streak; before Briton Ferry edged them out in a tight 1-0 win just before the turn of the month.

Key Players

Forward Ieuan Owen had an impressive March for the Town, where he scored four and assisted two, rightfully shortlisting himself for the Cymru Premier Player of the Month award.

Speaking on his form, Ieuan Owen said: “I’ve been really impressed with myself if I’m being honest.

“It’s gone from me not playing much to starting, and I knew that once I’d get the opportunity, I could show what I’m capable of.”

Rhys Hughes has been the Nomads’ star player this campaign, tied first in the race for the Golden Boot with 14 goals.

Barry’s Ollie Hulbert is sat just one behind the midfielder in the race, who’s poised to claim the individual award come the end of the season.

Last Time Out

In the reverse fixture, the Town fell to a 2-0 defeat at Jenner Park, Noah Edwards broke the deadlock just before the interval, with teammate Sam Durrant adding a second in the 91st minute.

Phase One of the Cymru Premier saw the Town claim the league double over Connah’s Quay, a 2-1 win away in early September, before a thrilling 3-2 win at home in November.

Stats Spotlight

Since his arrival to the Town, wingback Owen Cuddihy has notched four assists in five starts for the club, three of which came in the memorable comeback win over Ferry.

Forward Ollie Hulbert netted both goals in our 2-1 away win against Connah’s Quay in September, both coming in the second half.

Liam Armstrong has 12 consecutive starts for Barry between the sticks, in that time he has registered two clean sheets.

Connah’s Rhys Hughes netted twice in their 3-2 defeat to the Town in early November, scoring in the 58th and 85th minute.

Welsh Cup logo

Tomorrow: The Welsh Cup

Barry v Porthcawl Town Athletic

Barry host Porthcawl tomorrow at Jenner Park at 2pm in a Welsh Cup 2nd Round fixture in what is the first ever meeting in any competition between the two clubs.

Barry have had some recent success in the Welsh Cup, being Semi Finalists in 2012-13, and again in 2018-19. We’re also 6 times winners of the competition, having won it in 1954-55, 1993-94, 1996-97, and a famous treble of wins in 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03.

This season also marks the 30th anniversary of the fabulous 1993-94 Welsh Cup campaign which took us all the way to Cup Final glory at the National Stadium in Cardiff, beating much-fancied Cardiff City 2-1 in the process.

We’ve a long way to go to emulate that success, and Porthcawl Town will almost certainly prove stiff opposition for us tomorrow. It’s the magic of the Cup. Anything can happen!