BARRY 1-1 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY
Jenner Park, Barry / JD Cymru Premier / Friday 23 February 2024
A 1-1 draw with Haverfordwest County last Friday leaves Barry in ninth place in the Cymru Premier, five points away from the play-off place in seventh, and six points clear of the relegation zone.
Barry took the lead just after the hour mark, and looked to have won a valuable three points, but were pegged back by the visitors with a 96th minute equaliser.
Haverfordwest’s Jack Wilson had the first real chance of the game, his 17th minute shot going across the face of the Barry goal.
Moments later, Mike Lewis, making his first appearance since injury in September, pulled off a spectacular reaction save from a close range header, preventing an almost certain goal.
At the other end, Keenan Patten’s cross took a deflection which forced visiting ‘keeper, Zac Jones, to tip the ball over the bar.
Jones was again called into action when a Rhys Davies shot forced him into a low full-length dive to his right, and when Jordan Cotterill’s effort on the turn saw him push the shot away from the top corner.
Haverfordwest were awarded a penalty just before the break when Dan Hawkins was fouled in the box, but Kai Whitmore’s low penalty was well saved by Lewis, Whitmore putting the rebound over the bar.
Barry took the lead after 62 minutes. Michael George fired a low cross from the right which Haverfordwest’s Jazz Richards turned into his own net under pressure from Keenan Patten.
However, late in injury time, Whitmore shrugged off a number of Barry challenges, passing to the right. Rio Dyer’s cross picked out Rhys Abbruzzesse, who headed home at the far post to earn the visitors a point.
Barry travel to Aberystwyth Town on Saturday, 2nd March for a crucial match to stay away from the relegation zone, before entertaining Colwyn Bay at Jenner Park on Saturday, 9th March (2:30pm).