Barry Town United were denied all three points deep into stoppage time as Ammanford AFC struck from the penalty spot to earn a 2-2 draw at Jenner Park.

Goals from Noah Daley and Daniel Smith looked to have secured an eighth league victory of the season for The Town, but a VAR intervention in the closing stages handed the visitors the opportunity to level from 12 yards.

First Half

Barry began brightly under the Jenner Park lights and immediately put the visitors under pressure.

Elliott Dugan created the first opening inside the opening minute, delivering into the area for Jack Shaw, who was unable to get his shot away.

The Town continued to dominate possession, with Dan Barton releasing Mikey George down the right before the latter’s cross was blocked and cleared.

Barry thought they had found the breakthrough after seven minutes. A superb ball picked out George inside the area, who controlled beyond the goalkeeper before the loose ball fell to Dugan to fire home. The celebrations were cut short, however, with the goal ruled out for offside following a VAR check.

The pressure continued. Callum Sainty produced an excellent roulette to escape his marker before combining with Ellis Williams, while George continued to cause Ammanford problems down the right.

The breakthrough finally arrived after 17 minutes.

George delivered into the area before the ball eventually found Noah Daley, who held off his marker brilliantly before turning and smashing his effort beyond the goalkeeper to put The Town 1-0 ahead.

Barry went searching for a second, winning a succession of corners before Sainty almost doubled the advantage in spectacular fashion. The captain latched onto a cross and attempted a clever backheel beyond the goalkeeper, only for an Ammanford defender to intervene.

There was a setback shortly afterwards as Dugan was forced off through injury, with Daniel Smith introduced in his place after 27 minutes.

The hosts remained firmly in control. Williams and George continued to provide a threat from either flank, while Barry consistently regained possession whenever Ammanford attempted to clear their lines.

Theo Wharton came close shortly before the interval, meeting a corner at the near post with a clever flick which travelled narrowly over the crossbar.

Ammanford began to grow into the contest during the closing stages of the half and won a free-kick just outside the Barry area in added time, but the resulting effort was comfortably gathered by George Ratcliffe.

The Town headed into the break with a deserved 1-0 advantage.

Second Half

Barry picked up where they left off after the restart.

An Ammanford goal kick fell straight to Wharton on the edge of the area, but his first-time effort was gathered by the goalkeeper.

The visitors then provided an early warning at the other end when a cross from the left was flicked narrowly beyond Ratcliffe’s post.

But in the 53rd minute, Barry doubled their advantage in stunning fashion.

A long ball over the top released Daniel Smith, who raced onto it before producing an outstanding chip over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net.

The two-goal cushion lasted just two minutes.

Ammanford pulled one back in the 55th minute, with Barry appealing for offside. Following discussions with VAR, the goal was allowed to stand and suddenly the visitors were back in the contest at 2-1.

Barry looked to restore their advantage. Daley turned inside the area and saw an effort blocked behind, before another corner caused chaos as the goalkeeper dropped the ball and Ammanford eventually cleared off the line.

James Lester then had the ball cleared off the line following a Wharton delivery, but the offside flag denied The Town once again.

As the game entered its closing stages, Ammanford began to apply increasing pressure. Barry dealt with a succession of long throws and deliveries into the area, with Will Richards and Sainty making important clearances and Ratcliffe comfortably dealing with efforts that found their way through.

Jadyn Crosbie replaced Daley in the 88th minute as Barry looked to see out the remaining minutes.

Four minutes of additional time were initially indicated, but the biggest moment of the match arrived deep into stoppage time.

Following an Ammanford attack which was cleared and a free kick given to Barry, play was delayed as the referee discussed a potential penalty with VAR. The referee was subsequently sent to the pitchside monitor and, after reviewing the incident, awarded Ammanford a penalty.

Sainty was booked and, in the 95th minute, the visitors converted from the spot to make it 2-2.

There was still time for one final Barry opportunity, with George delivering into the area for Lester, whose header travelled wide in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

The final whistle followed shortly afterwards as The Town were forced to settle for a point after leading 2-0 at Jenner Park.

Full-time: Barry Town United 2-2 Ammanford AFC

Barry Town United: Ratcliffe, George, Williams, Sainty, Daley, Barton, Wharton, Lester, Dugan, Shaw, Richards.

Subs: Jackson, Crosbie, Schwank, Smith, Bernard, Grinter.

Barry Town United returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Friday night, securing a 4-1 victory over Llandudno at Jenner Park.

Goals from Elliott Dugan, Noah Daley, Daniel Barton and Ellis Williams secured all three points for The Town as they responded strongly to last weekend’s narrow defeat at The New Saints.

Barry made two changes to the starting XI, with James Lester and Jack Shaw coming into the side, while 15-year-old goalkeeper Charlie Jackson was named among the substitutes.

The Town almost made the perfect start inside the opening minute. Shaw produced some excellent work down the left before the ball eventually found Mikey George, whose first-time effort flashed narrowly past the post.

Moments later, George released Daley through on goal, but his first-time effort was kept out by the Llandudno goalkeeper.

Barry’s fast start was rewarded when Dugan was brought down by the goalkeeper inside the area, leaving the referee to point to the penalty spot.

Dugan stepped up and confidently converted from 12 yards in the sixth minute to give The Town an early 1-0 advantage.

Barry continued to control proceedings and doubled their advantage in the 14th minute through Noah Daley.

The striker showed excellent determination to prevent the ball from running out of play before driving towards goal. Daley took the ball into the area and got his shot away, with the effort eventually finding its way into the back of the net to make it 2-0 to The Town.

It was Daley’s first goal for Barry Town United, having joined the club from Penybont last month.

The visitors began to threaten as the half progressed, but Barry’s defence remained strong. Will Richards produced an excellent challenge inside the area to halt one attack, while George Ratcliffe comfortably dealt with a number of crosses into his box.

At the other end, Shaw continued to cause problems down the left, while Dugan and Daley combined effectively in attack.

Daley went close again after breaking into the area before finding Dugan, whose effort was deflected. The striker then attempted an overhead kick as the move continued, although an offside flag brought the attack to an end.

Barry almost added a third in the 37th minute. A superb left-footed pass from George released Williams, who drove into the area before seeing his effort tipped over the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Daley produced an excellent first touch to break through the Llandudno defence, but his shot rolled narrowly wide of the post.

The visitors enjoyed their best spell of the half shortly before the interval. Ratcliffe was called upon to make a save from the edge of the area before a free header inside the Barry box somehow missed the target.

Despite the late pressure, The Town headed into the break with a deserved two-goal advantage.

SECOND HALF

Barry continued to create chances after the restart, with Daley dragging an effort wide after being released by a long ball from Barton.

The third arrived shortly afterwards following some excellent combination play between George and Barton.

George found Barton on the right edge of the penalty area, and the midfielder produced a superb left-footed curling strike which found the net to make it 3-0.

Barton almost repeated the trick minutes later. After a short corner involving George, he attempted another curling effort from a similar position, but this time the Llandudno goalkeeper was able to punch the ball away.

The visitors were handed an opportunity to get themselves back into the contest midway through the second half when the referee was advised to review an incident at the VAR monitor.

Following the review, Llandudno were awarded a penalty and converted from the spot in the 67th minute to reduce Barry’s advantage to 3-1.

The goal gave the visitors renewed momentum, but Barry continued to create opportunities of their own.

Dugan raced through one-on-one in the 78th minute and attempted to lift the ball over the goalkeeper, only to see his effort drift narrowly wide.

Daley then came even closer two minutes later. The striker rounded the goalkeeper and fired towards an empty net, but a Llandudno defender produced a goal-line clearance to deny him a second of the evening.

Daley’s evening came to an end in the 82nd minute as Daniel Smith was introduced in his place.

The closing stages became increasingly heated. A challenge on George sparked a confrontation between the two sides before the referee showed a yellow card to the Llandudno player involved.

Deep into stoppage time, Smith raced through on goal before being brought down by Kieran Smith.

The referee initially produced a yellow card before being advised to review the incident at the pitchside monitor. Following the VAR review, the decision was upgraded to a red card, reducing Llandudno to ten men.

There was still time for Barry to put the finishing touch on an impressive evening.

In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Ellis Williams found the net to make it 4-1, sealing a convincing victory at Jenner Park.

The final whistle eventually brought an eventful evening to a close as The Town responded to their first defeat of the campaign with three points in front of the Jenner Park faithful.

FULL-TIME: Barry Town United 4-1 Llandudno

Barry Town United: Ratcliffe, George, Williams, Sainty, Daley, Barton, Wharton, Lester, Dugan, Shaw, Richards.

Substitutes: Jackson, Crosbie, Schwank, Smith, Bernard.

Barry Town United made it six wins from six in the Novira Cymru Premier with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel on Bank Holiday Monday.

An Elliott Dugan hat-trick and another goal from the in-form Owen Brain secured all three points for Steve Jenkins’ side, who continued their perfect start to the 2026/27 campaign.

First Half

The opening stages were evenly contested, with the hosts looking to cause problems through a series of long throws and efforts from distance.

Barry began to grow into the game, with Owen Brain at the heart of the Town’s attacking play. The midfielder linked well with Sion Spence and Jadyn Crosbie before seeing a free-kick cleared by the Ferry defence.

Crosbie then went close twice in quick succession, seeing his first effort blocked before dragging the follow-up wide.

The breakthrough arrived on the half-hour mark. Dugan raced beyond the Ferry defence and was brought down as he looked to get his shot away, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot.

Dugan stepped up himself and calmly dispatched the penalty into the bottom corner to give Barry a 1-0 lead.

George Ratcliffe was called into action five minutes later, initially parrying an effort before reacting quickly to deny the follow-up and preserve the Town’s advantage.

Barry doubled their lead in the 40th minute. Theo Wharton’s long throw was flicked on inside the area and Dugan was waiting at the back post to turn home his second of the afternoon.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts just before the break. Crosbie raced through on goal before being brought down by Jacob Jones, who was shown a straight red card. Following a VAR check, the decision was confirmed.

Barry almost added a third before the interval, with Brain firing the resulting free-kick narrowly over before Crosbie and Dugan were both denied by the Ferry goalkeeper.

Second Half

Despite being reduced to ten men, Briton Ferry started the second half brightly and struck the crossbar shortly after the restart.

James Lester then produced an excellent goal-line block to keep Barry’s two-goal advantage intact, but the hosts did pull one back moments later when a scramble inside the area ended with Ferry finding the net in the 57th minute.

Noah Daley was introduced shortly afterwards for his Barry Town United debut and immediately caused problems for the Ferry defence. The new signing chased down a loose ball before later rounding the goalkeeper, only for the home defence to recover before he could finish.

With Ferry looking for a route back into the contest, Brain restored Barry’s two-goal cushion in style in the 65th minute. The midfielder produced an excellent outside-of-the-boot finish to make it 3-1 and continue his outstanding goalscoring form.

Two minutes later, Dugan completed his hat-trick. Another Wharton long throw caused chaos inside the Ferry penalty area and Dugan was on hand to finish for his third of the afternoon and Barry’s fourth.

Daley thought he had marked his debut with a goal when he found the back of the net in the 73rd minute, but the flag was eventually raised for offside.

Barry remained in control throughout the closing stages, with Wharton impressing in midfield and the Town defence limiting the hosts to very few opportunities.

Callum Sainty almost added a fifth in the 89th minute when he broke forward and picked out Spence, but his one-on-one effort was kept out by the goalkeeper.

The travelling Barry support made themselves heard throughout the closing stages as the final whistle confirmed another impressive victory for Jenkins’ side.

Six games. Six wins. Eighteen points.

Briton Ferry Llansawel 1-4 Barry Town United.

The Town’s perfect start continues.

Barry Town United made it five wins from five in the Novira Cymru Premier with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Airbus UK Broughton at Jenner Park.

A brace from Owen Brain, along with goals from Owen Cuddihy and substitute Jack Shaw, ensured Steve Jenkins’ side maintained their perfect start to the league campaign.

The opening stages were evenly contested, but Barry began to find their rhythm and Jadyn Crosbie was at the heart of their first real opportunity. Callum Sainty picked out Crosbie with a long ball before he beat his man and pulled the ball back into the area for Elliott Dugan, whose effort was deflected clear.

Owen Cuddihy was then brought down as he looked to break forward, with Calland receiving the first yellow card of the evening. Brain delivered the resulting free-kick into the Airbus area, where a scramble followed before the visitors were eventually awarded a free-kick.

Airbus threatened at the other end in the 27th minute when Evans found space before delivering into the area, forcing George Ratcliffe to palm the ball away from danger.

Just two minutes later, Barry found the breakthrough.

Sion Spence did brilliantly to win possession before finding Owen Brain, who took aim from distance and found the bottom corner to put The Town ahead.

BARRY TOWN UNITED 1-0 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON

The goal gave Barry confidence and the hosts began to take control of proceedings.

James Lester and Brain combined well before the latter sent a ball over the top for Dugan, whose cross was turned behind for a corner.

Brain then went in search of his second, taking on his man before unleashing another effort from distance which Fallon was forced to turn away.

Spence was next to threaten, seeing an effort find the side-netting before going even closer shortly before half-time. The midfielder combined with Sainty inside the penalty area before hitting a powerful strike which Fallon did well to keep out.

Barry headed into the interval with a deserved advantage.

Second Half

The Town came flying out of the blocks after the restart.

Brain’s corner was met by Lester inside the area, but the defender’s header dropped narrowly wide before Crosbie tested Fallon moments later.

Airbus then began to threaten and Barry captain Sainty was called upon to produce an important goal-saving block inside the area.

However, Barry doubled their advantage in the 56th minute – and it came at the end of an excellent move.

Dugan, Michael George and Crosbie combined as The Town worked their way forward before Brain was released into space. He drove towards the Airbus defence and played Cuddihy through, with the winger keeping his composure to finish across Fallon and into the net.

BARRY TOWN UNITED 2-0 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON

Airbus immediately looked for a response, but Ratcliffe was on hand to make another important save.

Cuddihy then broke down the left and delivered for Dugan, whose effort went over, before Crosbie came agonisingly close to adding a third. The forward found himself with an opportunity inside the area, but Fallon produced an excellent save with his foot to deny him.

Moments later, it was Ratcliffe’s turn to produce a superb stop.

Airbus worked a short corner before Cooke looked destined to score, but the Barry goalkeeper reacted brilliantly on his line to somehow keep the ball out.

The visitors did eventually find their way back into the contest in the 64th minute. Cooke broke forward and delivered into the area for Peers, whose header across goal beat Ratcliffe to halve the deficit.

BARRY TOWN UNITED 2-1 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON

Any hopes of an Airbus comeback were quickly dealt a blow.

Cuddihy won a free-kick on the left-hand side and Brain stepped up to take it.

The midfielder’s set-piece flew over Fallon and into the top corner to restore Barry’s two-goal advantage and grab his second of the night.

BARRY TOWN UNITED 3-1 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON

The action showed no signs of slowing down as Airbus responded once again.

Evans was given space outside the area and produced an excellent strike into the top corner to make it 3-2 and set up what looked like being a tense finish.

Steve Jenkins responded by introducing Daniel Smith and Jack Shaw in place of Dugan and Crosbie – and it didn’t take long for Shaw to make an impact.

Spence was picked out before sending a dangerous cross into the area, where Jack Shaw got ahead of his defender and turned the ball beyond Fallon to restore Barry’s two-goal cushion.

BARRY TOWN UNITED 4-2 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON

It was Shaw’s second competitive goal for The Town following his summer arrival at Jenner Park.

With the game beginning to settle, Jenkins introduced Will Richards for captain Sainty before Daniel Barton replaced two-goal Brain for the closing stages.

Airbus continued to search for a way back into the contest, but Barry stood firm. Peers had one final attempt with an overhead kick in the closing stages, but Ratcliffe was there to comfortably gather.

The final whistle confirmed another impressive victory for Jenkins’ side and, most importantly, another three points.

After victories over Cambrian United, Flint Town United, Cardiff Met and Holywell Town in their opening four league fixtures, victory over Airbus means The Town have now won five from five to begin the 2026/27 Novira Cymru Premier campaign.

FULL-TIME: Barry Town United 4-2 Airbus UK Broughton

Barry Town United scorers: Brain (29′, 68′), Cuddihy (56′), Shaw (75′)
Airbus UK Broughton scorers: Peers (64′), Evans (72′)

Barry Town United

Starting XI: Ratcliffe, George, Williams, Sainty (C), Crosbie, Brain, Wharton, Lester, Cuddihy, Dugan, Spence.

Subs used: Smith, Shaw, Richards, Barton.

Barry Town United maintained their perfect start to the 2026/27 Novira Cymru Premier season with a 3-1 victory over Holywell Town at the Bartons North Wales Stadium.

Goals from Elliott Dugan, Owen Brain and Jack Shaw secured a fourth consecutive league victory for Steve Jenkins’ side, with Brain producing a moment of magic from a second-half free-kick before Shaw wrapped up the three points deep into stoppage time.

The victory leaves The Town top of the Cymru Premier with four wins from four.

First Half

Holywell got proceedings underway, but it was Barry who created the first real opportunity of the evening.

After winning an early corner, The Town went agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the sixth minute. Mikey George’s long ball released Owen Cuddihy down the flank, who cut the ball back into the path of Owen Brain. The midfielder worked himself into space before curling a superb effort towards goal, only to see it crash back off the crossbar.

Barry thought they had found the breakthrough four minutes later. Cuddihy floated an inviting cross into the area and Jadyn Crosbie headed home, but the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside, with the decision subsequently confirmed following a VAR check.

Sion Spence was next to threaten as he drove into the Holywell penalty area, cut inside and fired narrowly over the crossbar.

Despite Barry’s positive start, it was the hosts who struck first on 15 minutes. Holywell broke quickly on the counter-attack before a composed finish put the Wellmen 1-0 ahead.

The Town responded well and began to apply sustained pressure on the Holywell defence. Josh Bernard’s cross found Crosbie, who held the ball up before laying it into the path of Brain. His first effort was saved before Barry quickly recycled possession, with Spence sending the ball across the area. Brain regained possession, beat two defenders, but was once again denied by the goalkeeper.

Spence then sent a free-kick over the crossbar before Cuddihy tried his luck from distance as Barry continued searching for an equaliser.

The pressure finally paid off on 31 minutes.

Elliott Dugan won Barry a corner which Brain delivered into a crowded penalty area. Holywell struggled to clear their lines and, following a scramble inside the box, Dugan reacted quickest to bundle the ball home and restore parity.

Barry almost completed the turnaround immediately afterwards when Cuddihy delivered another dangerous cross into the area, but neither Spence nor Crosbie could apply the finishing touch.

The visitors continued to push as half-time approached. Dugan, Crosbie and Bernard combined well to win another corner before Theo Wharton produced an excellent long pass to release Cuddihy. Brain eventually took over and drove into the penalty area, but his effort was deflected before Holywell cleared.

Deep into eight minutes of first-half stoppage time, Dugan was released by Crosbie and saw an effort deflected into the goalkeeper’s hands, while Spence also had a late attempt blocked following a Bernard free-kick.

The sides went into the interval level at 1-1.

Second Half

Barry started the second half on the front foot and continued to create opportunities from set-pieces.

Brain forced another corner after taking matters into his own hands in the 50th minute, beating his man before seeing his effort deflected behind at the final moment.

However, the game threatened to swing in Holywell’s favour when the hosts were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute, with Bernard shown a yellow card. Following a lengthy VAR check, the original decision stood.

But George Ratcliffe came to Barry’s rescue.

The goalkeeper guessed correctly and produced a superb save low to his right to keep the scores level and deny Holywell the opportunity to regain the lead.

The hosts went close again eight minutes later when they managed to take the ball beyond Ratcliffe, but Bernard recovered brilliantly to clear the ball off the line.

That intervention proved crucial.

Cuddihy produced an excellent run in the 71st minute, winning possession back before driving towards the Holywell penalty area and drawing a foul on the edge of the box.

Up stepped Owen Brain.

The midfielder curled a brilliant free-kick over the wall and beyond the goalkeeper to give Barry a deserved 2-1 lead, adding another memorable goal to his impressive start in a yellow and blue shirt.

Dugan thought he had added a third shortly afterwards when he rounded the goalkeeper and found the net, but the striker was flagged offside.

Holywell began to pile on the pressure as the game entered its closing stages, with Jenkins introducing Daniel Smith before Jack Shaw and Daniel Barton were also brought into the action.

The hosts continued searching for an equaliser, but Barry’s defence stood firm.

Then, four minutes into stoppage time, Jack Shaw put the result beyond doubt.

Shaw raced through one-on-one with the Holywell goalkeeper before emphatically smashing the ball into the back of the net. A VAR check followed, but the goal was confirmed to spark celebrations amongst The Town.

The final whistle eventually sounded with Barry securing a 3-1 victory and another three points on the road.

Four games. Four victories.

A perfect start to the season and top of the Novira Cymru Premier.

Full-Time

Holywell Town 1-3 Barry Town United

⚽ Elliott Dugan
⚽ Owen Brain
⚽ Jack Shaw

Barry Town United

Starting XI: George Ratcliffe, Mikey George, Ellis Williams, Jadyn Crosbie, Owen Brain, Theo Wharton, James Lester, Owen Cuddihy, Josh Bernard, Elliott Dugan, Sion Spence.

Substitutes: Daniel Barton, Rhys Schwank, Daniel Smith, Jack Shaw, Joe Case, Keegan Saunders.

Barry Town United continued their perfect start to the Novira Cymru Premier season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cardiff Met at Jenner Park.

Daniel Smith proved to be the match-winner for The Town, heading home the rebound after Jack Shaw saw his late penalty saved, as Steve Jenkins’ side made it three wins from three to start the new league campaign.

First Half

Cardiff Met got the game underway, but it was Barry who looked to make the early running. George Ratcliffe’s long ball forward gave Elliott Dugan the opportunity to put goalkeeper Arron Davies under pressure in the fourth minute, but the Met stopper gathered safely.

The Town won their first corner four minutes later following good work from Jadyn Crosbie down the right. Owen Brain played it short, combining with Sion Spence and Joshua Bernard, before the visitors eventually cleared.

Met threatened from a set-piece in the 11th minute, with Ratcliffe punching the delivery away before Brain completed the clearance. The Barry goalkeeper required treatment shortly afterwards but was able to continue.

Barry began to produce some neat football as the half developed. Mikey George showed excellent footwork to beat his man before finding Bernard, whose attempted shot-cross struck Dugan, who was in an offside position.

Theo Wharton and Brain then combined well before Brain’s deflected cross fell to Spence, whose inviting delivery drifted beyond the goalkeeper and out of play.

Brain was at the heart of much of Barry’s attacking play and produced a superb outside-of-the-boot pass to release Owen Cuddihy down the left. His cross was deflected away before it could reach Dugan, with the resulting corner punched clear by Davies.

Cardiff Met’s Sam Jones was shown the first yellow card of the afternoon in the 27th minute following an aerial collision with James Lester.

A minute later came Barry’s first clear sight of goal. Crosbie found space and unleashed a powerful effort, but his strike continued to rise and cleared the crossbar.

Met responded almost immediately when Fumpa Mwandwe found himself with an opportunity from close range, but his effort went over Ratcliffe’s goal.

Wharton then won possession just outside the Cardiff Met penalty area and found Dugan, whose first-time effort was comfortably gathered by Davies.

The visitors were forced into an early change in the 36th minute, with Ryan Reynolds making way for Myles McKenzie.

Chances became limited as the interval approached, although Dugan saw a dangerous cross cleared following a quick Barry break before Jack Veale’s attempted overhead kick at the other end failed to trouble Ratcliffe.

The two sides therefore went into the break level.

Half-time: Barry Town United 0-0 Cardiff Met

Second Half

Barry restarted the contest, but Met created the first opportunity of the second period. A shot inside the Barry penalty area was blocked by George before Jones headed the resulting corner wide.

The Town immediately responded. Brain’s long pass found Bernard, who moved the ball onto George. The defender took on his man before firing an effort towards goal, but Davies was equal to it.

Barry continued to apply pressure, winning successive corners through Brain, but the visitors’ defence stood firm.

At the other end, Ratcliffe was called into action just before the hour mark. Mwandwe cut inside from the left and sent a curling effort towards goal which looked destined for the net, only for the Barry goalkeeper to produce an excellent save and tip the ball over the crossbar.

Jenkins made his first change on the hour, introducing Jack Shaw in place of Crosbie.

Met continued to threaten, with Toby Raison heading wide before a promising attack broke down when Cuddihy made an important interception inside the Barry penalty area.

Barry made a double change in the 66th minute as Daniel Barton and Daniel Smith replaced Brain and Dugan.

Shaw almost made an immediate impact. The substitute broke free and drove into the Met penalty area before sending his effort narrowly over the crossbar in the 69th minute.

He threatened again moments later, only for James Clarke to make a well-timed challenge before Shaw could get his shot away.

The Town were beginning to turn up the pressure. Spence delivered a series of corners into the Met penalty area, with Smith seeing one header gathered by Davies.

Shaw continued to cause problems with his direct running, while Smith saw an effort deflected behind as Barry searched for the breakthrough.

That breakthrough finally arrived following another Spence corner in the 78th minute. After Met initially dealt with the delivery, Barton was brought down inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot.

Shaw stepped up to take the penalty, but Davies produced the save. The danger wasn’t over, however, as the ball looped into the air and Daniel Smith reacted quickest to head home the rebound and put Barry 1-0 ahead in the 80th minute.

Cardiff Met pushed forward in search of an equaliser during the closing stages, but Barry’s defence stood strong.

Ratcliffe comfortably claimed a long ball into his area before dealing with a Met free-kick in the 87th minute. George then produced an important challenge to stop a potential counter-attack before Ellis Williams headed another dangerous delivery clear.

Five minutes of additional time were indicated, but Barry remained organised as Met continued to push bodies forward.

The Town almost sealed the points in the 93rd minute when Bernard produced an excellent run into the penalty area, cut back onto his left foot and sent his effort just over the top corner.

Met had one final opportunity when Clarke headed over from close range, but Barry held on to secure another three points and preserve their perfect start to the league season.

Full-time: Barry Town United 1-0 Cardiff Met

Barry Town United

Starting XI: George Ratcliffe, Mikey George, Ellis Williams, Jadyn Crosbie, Owen Brain, Theo Wharton, James Lester, Owen Cuddihy, Joshua Bernard, Elliott Dugan, Sion Spence.

Substitutes: Daniel Barton, Rhys Schwank, Daniel Smith, Jack Shaw, Case, Saunders.

Cardiff Met

Starting XI: Arron Davies, Jack Veale, James Clarke, Ryan Reynolds, CJ Craven, Jasper Payne, Sam Jones, Fumpa Mwandwe, Spencer Dymond-Hall, Aaron Wildig, Toby Raison.

Substitutes: Will Howard, Tom English, Bailey Gaughan, Myles McKenzie, Harri John, Ollie Good, Harrison Matthews.

Barry Town United’s unbeaten pre-season campaign came to an end as Gloucester City claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at Jenner Park in The Town’s final friendly ahead of the 2026/27 Novira Cymru Premier season. The fixture also marked a historic occasion for the club, with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology being used at Jenner Park for the first time ever, playing a decisive role in the game’s only goal.

Despite seeing plenty of the ball throughout the afternoon, Barry were unable to find a way past the Gloucester defence in a scrappy contest decided by a first-half penalty.

The opening exchanges offered little in the way of clear-cut chances, with both sides taking time to settle into the game. Barry registered the first effort on target after six minutes when Sion Spence tested the Gloucester goalkeeper with a low strike that was comfortably gathered.

The visitors responded two minutes later as Tom Owen-Evans fired wide of George Ratcliffe’s goal before Ashley Hemmings forced a routine save from the Barry goalkeeper on 14 minutes.

As the half progressed, both teams looked to play attractive football, but the contest became increasingly stop-start with possession regularly changing hands. Gloucester’s Cross blazed an effort comfortably over the crossbar before Barry produced one of their best moves of the half. Owen Brain and Jadyn Crosbie combined well before Spence switched play to Joshua Bernard, whose dangerous cross was eventually cleared.

The game’s decisive moment arrived just after the half-hour mark. James Lester was adjudged to have fouled a Gloucester attacker, with the referee pointing to the penalty spot despite Barry appeals that the challenge had occurred outside the area. Following a VAR review, the original decision stood, allowing Ashley Hemmings to calmly convert from the spot and hand the visitors the lead in the 34th minute.

Barry looked for an immediate response before the break. Crosbie’s driving run won a corner that Will Richards headed over the bar before Elliott Dugan came closest to an equaliser, seeing an acrobatic overhead kick drift narrowly over in first-half stoppage time.

The second half struggled to find any real rhythm, with neither goalkeeper regularly called into action during the opening stages. Ratcliffe produced a solid save to deny Gloucester early in the half before Joshua Bernard delivered an inviting cross that just evaded the stretching Dugan.

Owen Cuddihy provided a spark for Barry with an excellent run that beat two defenders before winning a corner, although Brain’s delivery was claimed comfortably by the goalkeeper.

As the game entered its final stages, Barry continued to push for a leveller. Jadyn Crosbie appealed for a penalty after going down inside the area from a Spence corner, but the referee waved away the claims.

Spence then picked out Cuddihy with a superb long pass before another corner came to nothing, while substitute Jack Shaw attempted to release Mikey George with a clever ball over the top that was collected by the advancing Gloucester goalkeeper.

Barry’s best chance of the closing stages fell to Crosbie, who produced an impressive solo run through the heart of the Gloucester defence before seeing his effort blocked.

Despite a spirited finish, Barry were unable to break down the visitors, bringing an end to a successful pre-season campaign that saw Steve Jenkins’ side record five wins from six matches before attentions now turn to the start of the 2026/27 Novira Cymru Premier season.

Starting XI: 

George Ratcliffe, Joshua Bernard, Will Richards, James Lester, Ellis Williams, Owen Cuddihy, Theo Wharton, Sion Spence, Owen Brain, Elliott Dugan, Jadyn Crosbie.