Penybont 1-0 Barry
SDM Glass Stadium, Bryntirion / JD Cymru Premier / Tuesday 26 September 2023
Attendance: 863
Barry fell to a 1-0 defeat to Penybont at SDM Glass Stadium following their opening win in the JD Cymru Premier on Saturday.
Despite a resilient effort from the Town, it was Chris Venables’ 20th minute acrobatic effort that separated the two sides in his Cymru Premier record 537th appearance.
After defeating Bala Town convincingly on Saturday, Curtis MacDonald and Evan Press were both absent from the squad against Penybont, requiring reinforcements at the back, including a first start for Ben Blythe.
Harrison Bright and Mike George both showed positive intent inside 10 minutes with efforts from range failing to challenge the keeper.
Penybont caught Mike Lewis on the edge of his box attempting to clear a long ball with a foul on Keyon Reffell, although the hosts couldn’t make the free-kick count.
Ollie Hulbert continued his arial threat with a header from a Davies corner, cleared off the line in the second half.
Harrison Bright and Kayne McLaggon shortly followed Hulbert’s chance, linking up down the right-hand side, the captain’s dangerous, low cross finding no one across the six-yard area.
Hulbert beat the offside trap looking for an equaliser, when he was eventually held up, he beat two defenders in the process of getting his shot underway, only for McLaggon to get in the way of his effort.
Rhys Davies also went close late on, with a floated in cross finding his feet before firing over.