JD CYMRU PREMIER: ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 1 BARRY TOWN UNITED 1

BARRY came away with a hard-fought point versus Aberystwyth, with the squad so depleted they had to call up fitness coach Gavin Beddard to the bench.

Town were without Ollie Hulbert, Mike George, Kayne McLaggon and Sam Snaith as a makeshift side went up to Aber on the first weekend of March. Read the report below.

Report by Ian Johnson

Ninth-placed Barry secured an important away point against tenth-placed Aberystwyth Town, keeping the club five points behind a European play-off place and six points away from relegation.

The Barry squad in mid-Wales had a makeshift feel to it, with regulars Ollie Hulbert and Mike George missing through suspension, and injuries to Kayne McLaggon and Sam Snaith.

That meant a surprise recall for the club’s fitness coach, striker Gavin Beddard, who came off the bench as a second half substitute, having made his debut for the club way back in 2004.

The home side started smartly, and Barry ‘keeper, Mike Lewis, was called into action in the opening minutes, dealing with a Cadwallader header.

Lewis could do nothing a few minutes later, though, when a thunderbolt of a shot from Ben Woolam went straight into the top corner to give Aber the lead.

Barry were quickly back in the game.

Minutes later, Lucas Tomlinson headed over from a Rhys Davies cross, and, soon after, Tomlinson went on a mazy run around the edge of the box, which saw him upended by an Aber defender.

The referee initially pointed for a free-kick, but after consultation with his linesman, changed the decision to a penalty.

Barry’s Keenan Patten stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to level the game after twenty minutes.

Aber came close to scoring again in the first half when Jonny Owen tried to lob Mike Lewis, but Chris Hugh headed away. At the other end, Patten tried a cheeky chip of Aber ‘keeper, Dave Jones, but it was caught on the line.

The second half was a midfield battle in which neither side claimed dominance, with a weak header at Lewis and a free-kick held by Jones the best of the chances.

Barry entertain Colwyn Bay on Saturday, 2:30pm at Jenner Park, with three points hopefully ending any relegation fears for the season.