Barry Town United opened their 2026/27 Novira Cymru Premier campaign with a dramatic 2-1 victory over league newcomers Cambrian United, as Daniel Smith’s stoppage-time winner secured all three points at Jenner Park.

Prior to kick-off, both clubs came together to pay tribute to Tony Barnett, observing a minute’s applause in his memory.

The visitors got proceedings underway, but it was Barry who settled into the contest quickest. After Josh Allen’s tame effort was comfortably collected by George Ratcliffe in the fifth minute, The Town began to take control of possession.

Jack Shaw was at the heart of Barry’s best early moments. A superb piece of individual skill allowed the midfielder to release Owen Cuddihy down the left, whose dangerous delivery flashed across goal just beyond the reach of Elliott Dugan. Shaw then embarked on a driving run of his own minutes later, forcing a deflected effort that was gathered by the Cambrian goalkeeper.

Cambrian threatened sporadically, with Dylan Edwards firing over from distance before Jake Morris tested Ratcliffe with another long-range effort that the Barry goalkeeper dealt with comfortably.

Barry continued to create the clearer openings. Cuddihy once again found space down the left to deliver a cross towards Dugan, whose glancing header was deflected into the goalkeeper’s hands, before Sion Spence won a corner that ultimately came to nothing.

The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Alex Bonthron raced clear on goal, only to lift his effort high over the crossbar with Ratcliffe closing him down.

With both defences standing firm during the closing stages of the half, the sides went into the interval level after an evenly contested opening 45 minutes.

Barry emerged from the break with renewed purpose. Just two minutes into the second half, Josh Bernard’s dangerous cross had to be tipped behind by the Cambrian goalkeeper, setting the tone for a strong spell of pressure.

The breakthrough arrived in the 49th minute. Spence’s corner was initially punched clear, but Barry quickly recycled possession through Bernard, whose inviting delivery found Callum Sainty. The skipper showed excellent technique to chest the ball down before producing a superb volley into the back of the net to give The Town a deserved lead.

Sainty continued to lead by example moments later, producing a perfectly timed goal-saving tackle before winning an important free-kick to relieve the pressure.

Barry searched for a second goal as Richards’ header from another Spence corner was comfortably held, while excellent defensive work denied Dugan and Jadyn Crosbie after the pair combined well inside the penalty area. Another teasing Cuddihy cross then caused confusion between the Cambrian goalkeeper and his defender, but Daniel Smith was unable to capitalise on the loose ball.

Despite Barry’s dominance, Cambrian found themselves level in the 70th minute when Liam Eason finished clinically to make it 1-1.

The equaliser lifted the visitors, who enjoyed their strongest spell of the match. Eason fired another effort over the crossbar before forcing Ratcliffe into an excellent save with an acrobatic overhead kick.

Barry almost reclaimed the advantage five minutes from time. Ellis Williams delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area where Spence rose highest, only to see his powerful header crash against the crossbar.

With the contest seemingly heading for a share of the spoils, Barry produced one final moment of quality deep into stoppage time. Following a brief coming together between the two sides before the restart, Owen Cuddihy delivered a dangerous free-kick into the six-yard area. Daniel Smith reacted quickest to the loose ball, smashing home from close range in the 91st minute to spark jubilant celebrations around Jenner Park.

Cambrian launched one final attack in search of another equaliser, but their last effort sailed over the bar before the referee brought an entertaining opening-night contest to an end.

Barry Town United begin the new Novira Cymru Premier season in perfect fashion, claiming all three points thanks to goals from captain Callum Sainty and substitute Daniel Smith.

Football returned to Jenner Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon with Newport City making the short trip East as preperations for the 2025/26 JD Cymru Premier season ramped up.

New signings Keston Davies and Joe Thomas got their first minutes in the tank as Barry Town players while George Ratcliffe made his return by playing in the first half.

Town started the better and it didn’t take long to open the scoring with Ieuan Owen smashing in a cross from Owen Cuddihy to give Town a 1–0 lead after 10 minutes, Ieuan continuing on from where he left last season!

Newport City came alive after Owen’s opener calling George Ratcliffe into action for the first time after 17 minutes who produced a fine save to his right following a long range shot.

Following the goal both sides had chances in the remainder of the first half but no one could convert. Newport City tested Ratcliffe again but nothing would pass the Town keeper on his second debut. There was still time for one more chance on the stroke of half time with a curling shot from Ieuan Owen just being tipped over the bar by the City goalkeeper.

There were a few changes for Town during half time with Joe Thomas replacing George Ratcliffe in net and Keston Davies coming on for his first appearance. City made a lively start to the second half but failed to really test Thomas in the Town net.

Joe Rees had a strong shot tipped over the bar by the City goalkeeper after 58 minutes which led to a Town corner. Owen Cuddihy took the resulting corner which found it’s way through to Ieuan Owen who nodded home his and Town’s second of the afternoon.

Town ran out 2–0 winners in the end in what was an enjoyable afternoon as football returned to Jenner Park. It was great to see so many familiar faces in both the stands and on the pitch including Kayne McLaggon who has just signed for Newport City.

Town head to Bristol on Wednesday night to take on Roman Glass St George before returning back to Jenner Park next Saturday to host Cardiff City u21s as the JD Cymru Premier season approaches.

We would like to wish Newport City all the best as they prepare for another campaign in the Cymru South!

Report prepared by Tierre Miller

22^nd February

Sam Durrant’s 90^th minute goal sealed a 2-0 victory for Connah’s Quay as Phase 2 of the Cymru Premier heats up.

Andy Legg made one change as his side looked to make it six games unbeaten, January signing Owen Cuddihy replaced Michael George in the starting lineup, earning his first start or the club.

The Town started the game brightly, Ollie Hulbert saw his effort bounce off the crossbar in the fourth minute, teammate Evan Press did well to keep the ball alive at the byline and found the unmarked forward at the edge of the box.

In the 31^st minute Robbie Willmott’s whipped corner kick threatened the Nomads, but it was well cleared by Kai Edwards to stop the Town taking the advantage.

Both sides found it difficult to settle into the match with minimal efforts on goal until the visitor’s opener, in the 41^st minute Declan Poole made space on the right edge of the box and found unmarked teammate Noah Edwards, who slotted the ball past Liam Armstrong.

Dan Roberts was cautioned for a strong challenge on Ryan Kavanagh as tempers started to flair between both sets of players, moments later Callum Sainty was forced to come off the pitch with a non-contact injury, who received a flood of applause as he headed to the dressing room.

Kayne McLaggon saw his chance go narrowly wide of the post in the 55^th minute, he managed to wriggle his way into the box from the right wing, at a tight angle his effort found the side netting to his frustration.

In the 63^rd minute, Connah’s Quay looked to build on their lead through Max Woodcock, quick team play ended with his strike fizzing past the post. Minutes later, an identical shot hit the woodwork, causing chaos in the box, with Barry just managing to the clear the danger.

Armstrong was called into action in the 72^nd minute, following a fast break, Sam Durrant’s was fed through by Rhys Hughes, his right footed attempt was blocked by the body of Armstrong to keep the Town in the match.

Barry upped the intensity in a bid to level the score but a brilliant double save by George Ratcliffe, with ten minutes left to play, denied the striking partnership of Ieuan Owen and Ollie Hulbert from close range to keep their lead untouched.

With seconds left to play the Town almost halved the deficit, Owen found space up the right wing and charged forward with the ball, supported by Hulbert, who Owen found with a cute pass, his first time strike was blocked by Ben Nash to seal a vital win for the visitors and prevent a last-minute comeback by the Town.

Barry Town turns their attention to Briton Ferry Llansawel with a trip away on Friday the 7^th March, 7:45pm kick off.