Match Reports
Caerau (Ely) 0 BARRY TOWN 2
The Dragons climbed two places in the Division thanks to this win at Cwrt y Ala. Up until this game Caerau had won all 7 of their previous home games.
Having lost here in the League Cup just a few weeks ago The Dragons knew that the tactics would have to be different if a win was to be achieved. Gavin Chesterfield chose the same starting 11 from the game against Bettws and the team were quickly into their stride not giving Caerau time to settle into their game.
The first 10 minutes was all Barry Town with a succession of corners being forced and chances being created. The best chances from the corners fell to Rob Blatchford and Geraint Goodridge but neither managed to convert them into goals.
With just over 15 minutes gone Leon Dennis ran at the Caerau defence, beating 2 or 3 defenders before firing in a great shot. Unfortunately The Dragons were to come up against a keeper on the top of his form. Caerau keeper David Burnett brilliantly palmed away Dennis's shot and was also on hand to save Nicky Hooper's follow up shot.
The game then settled down into a midfield battle on a heavy and bumpy pitch with few chances then being created. Dan Bradley and Liam Duff cleared easily when Caerau did manage to get thru'. A great passing move down the left saw Nicky Hooper race into the Caerau penalty area but once again Burnett pulled off a great save to deny The Dragons.
The half time whistle went with the score at 0-0 and The Dragons went in wondering how.
The Dragons management team must have said more of the same second half and the goals would come because that's exactly what happened.
Barry Town continued to push forward with Caerau trying to hit them on the break. The Dragons took the lead just before the hour when Nathan Cadette won the ball in midfield and floated the ball over the top of the Caerau defence. Christian Mills controlled the ball and outpaced the defence before rounding the keeper and firing into an empty net.
The goal was no more than the team deserved but with 1-0 always being a dangerous scoreline they went in search of a second. Mills went close again but his header just went wide. Within minutes another break down the right saw Mills outpace the defence before squaring the ball to Rob Blatchford who delayed his shot. The Caerau keeper dived full length to tip the shot around the post.
By this time Caerau were resorting to shots from distance and Bradley in the Barry goal was virtually a spectator. The Dragons continued to force the pace but a second goal would not come. With 10 minutes left on the clock Kieron James replaced Nicky Hooper. With 3 minutes left on the clock James broke free down the left, leaving defenders trailing in his wake before drawing the keeper and firing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
The goal virtually sealed the game and The Dragons ran out worthy winners. With only UWIC and Bettws of the teams around them winning it turned out to be a great day for The Dragons. Both Mills and James scored their first goals for The Dragons.
A mention must be made of Referee Allen Griffiths who contolled the game with common sense on a heavy pitch and the players responded by playing the game in a very sporting manner.
Team: Dan Bradley; Leon Dennis, Lewis Cosslett, Liam Duff, Richard Thomas, Geraint Goodridge, Rob Blatchford, Nathan Cadette, Christian Mills (sub. Tomasz Hejduk), Jamie Bradford, Nicky Hooper (sub. Kieron James).
Subs not used: Gavin Chesterfield, Gareth Picknell, Giles Smith.
Scorers; Mills 57, James 87.
BARRY TOWN 0 Bettws 0
The Dragons lost their 100% home record in a battle with unbeaten Bettws, the team next above them in the table.
Barry Town started the game with pace and soon had Bettws back peddling. The early pressure did not convert to chances and gradually Bettws got into the game. They negated The Dragons undoubted skill the some tough, but fair tackling and neither team were able to create meaningful chances with both resorting to long shots which did not trouble either keeper.
Leon Dennis, a new signing from Briton Ferry made his debut at full back in place of the suspended Rhys Carr. He looked comfortable in the position and had a good debut.
The pace of Blatchford, Bradford and Mills always looked likely to cause Bettws trouble at the back but they always managed to get a foot in to clear the ball.
The second half was a virtual repeat of the first with the only real chance of the game falling to top scorer Jamie Bradford. A free kick from Lewis Cosslett caused real problems in the Bettws box and the keeper managed to palm the ball onto the crossbar. The ball was cleared only to Bradford just inside the box. With the goal at his mercy he leant back and blasted the ball over the bar when a more delicate touch may have been a better idea.
In fairness to both teams, neither deserved to lose and a draw was the correct result. If both teams continue to play this way for the rest of the season they will be there or thereabouts when the promotion places are decided.
Team: Dan Bradley; Leon Dennis, Lewis Cosslett, Liam Duff, Richard Thomas, Geraint Goodridge, Rob Blatchford, Nathan Cadette, Christian Mills, Jamie Bradford, Nicky Hooper (sub. Kieron James)
Subs not used. Gavin Chesterfield, Tomasz Hejduk, Gareth Picknell, Grant Thompson.
Troedyrhiw 1 BARRY TOWN 4
In their first meeting for over 60 years The Dragons eventually overcame a spirited Troedyrhiw side to record their first away win of the season.
The Dragons started brightly and harried their opponents into mistakes. After several half chances the first goal for The Dragons arrived when Liam Duff scored from a Rob Blachford corner. Liam's header actually rebounded off his shoulder completely wrong footing the 'Rhiw keeper.
Barry Town dominated the first half hour and it took a lax thrown in to get 'Rhiw back in the game. A Dragons throw in was given straight to a 'Rhiw defender who crossed into the Dragons penalty area where a shot was tipped around the post. Unfortunately it was Rhys Carr who had saved and the referee had no option but to show a red card. 'Rhiw duly scored from the spot.
The goal and sending off seemed to deflate the team and they play was not as fluid for the reaminder of the half with a few misplaced passes. Before the penalty however, Rob Blatchford, Jamie Bradford and Geraiant Goodridge all created chances but were unable to convert them. The sore stayed at 1-1 at half time.
The Dragons came out for the second half with renewed energy and belief and it took 9 minutes before they again took the lead. Again it was a Liam Duff header from a Rob Blatchford corner. Liam eluded all markers to get a free header which flew past a stranded keeper.
The team were not going to allow 'Rhiw back into the game this time
and within 10 minutes were 3-1 up when a slick passing move resulted in Geraint Goodridge scoring his first goal for The Dragons when he coolly slotted the ball past the 'Rhiw keeper.
Several chances came and went before Goodridge converted a cross to score the 4th goal. It was difficult to believe that Barry Town were the team with 10 men with their 2nd half display. The teams were even though for the last few minutes when 'Rhiw were reduced to 10 men. A reckless challenge on Nathan Cadette resulting in the referee brandishing a red card.
Team: Dan Bradley; Rhys Carr, Lewis Cosslett, Liam Duff, Richard Thomas, Geraint Goodridge, Rob Blatchford, Nathan Cadette, Christian Mills (sub. Kieron James), Jamie Bradford, Nicky Hooper.
Subs not used: Gavin Chesterfield, Tomasz Hejduk. Grant Thompson, Gareth Picknell.
BARRY TOWN 4 Briton Ferry 1
The Dragons got their season back on track with a comfortable victory over Briton Ferry. After a torrid September so far, the team losing all 3 of its games, they knew that victory was important if no further ground was to be lost on the leading teams.
The team started as if they meant business and it wasn't long before chances were being created. The first goal came on 7 minutes when a pass to Jamie Bradford saw him turn his marker and blast the ball past thr Ferry keeper from about 10 yards out. The Dragons then produced arguably their best football of the season as Nicky Hooper , Rob Blatchford, Jamie Bradford and Christian Mills all had chances but it took a fabulous run down the left by Christian Mills to finally get the deserved 2nd goal. He took the ball to the the byline and pulled the ball to the edge of the box where Jamie Bradford ran in unmarked to stroke the ball home on 30 minutes. It took a further 9 minutes for the 3rd goal to arrive. A fantastic piece of flowing football from Nathan Cadette, Rob Blatchford and Nicky Hooper and eventually a sublime pass to Jamie Bradford who scored his and the teams third with a rising shot into the net. The Dragons were firing on all cylinders but no further goals came before half time.
As is usual after such a pulsating performance in the first half, the second was a bit of an anti climax. To give Briton Ferry their due they never gave up tring and they were rewarded on the hour mark when McGrath fired home past Dan Bradley. Prior to this Bradford and Baltchford had opportunities to increase The Dragons lead but couldn't beat the Ferry keeper. Bradford suffered a knock midway thru' the 2nd half and was replaced by Grant Thompson and Tomasz Hejduk came on to replace Hooper. The Dragons then got a second wind and pushed for more goals. The 4th duly arrived when a shot from Blatchford was parried away by the Ferry keeper. The ball fell to Hejduk who fired the ball home for his 4th goal of the season.
This was a much improved performance although the players were slightly disappointed with the second half performance. The win lifted the team up a place into 6th, although they do have games in hand on some of the teams above them.
Team: Dan Bradley; Samir Misbah, Lewis Cosslett, Liam Duff, Richard Thomas, Nathan Cadette, Rob Blatchford, Geraint Goodridge, Christian Mills, Jamie Bradford (Grant Thompson), Nicky Hooper (Tomasz Hejduk). Subs (not used), Gavin Chesterfield, Rhys Carr.
Caerau (Ely) 2 Barry Town 1
The Dragons cup interest for the season is over after a second defeat in four days against teams who are currently above them in the League.
Barry Town manager Gavin Chesterfield made 4 changes from the team who lost in midweek at Llanwern. Local boy, Christian Mills, signed from Cadoxton FC was given his debut, but unfortunatley was not able to score but otherwise can be content with his part in the game.
The match itself was a typical cup tie with both teams intent on attacking. Apart from a shot from Geraint Goodridge which struck the crossbar, The Dragons created little up front whilst quick breaks from Caerau saw them create several chances which they either missed or brought saves from keeper Dan Bradley. Bradley, however, was given no chance when on 34 minutes an incisive break down The Dragons right saw the ball crossed into the box for Caerau's Peter Harrington to slide home.
The Dragons approach play was good but the end product failed to materialise. Caerau went in at half time full value for their lead. Within 2 minutes of the restart they increased their lead when The Dragons defence failed to react at a corner and Caerau were given two chances to score. The first hit the upright and the second was headed home by Harrington.
Although the Dragons continued to attack few chances were created and the Caerau keeper kept out those that were. As Caerau began to tire Barry Town had more of the game and sub Rob Blatchford was presented with a glorious chance to get the team back into the game but he blazed wide when it seemed easier to score. He made up for his miss with 5 minutes to go when he converted Mills cross. The goal, however, came too late and Caerau hung on for a fully deserved win.
Team: Dan Bradley; Rhys Carr (sub. Kieron James, Lewis Cosslett, Richard Thomas, Liam Duff, Gavin Chesterfield, Nathan Cadette, Geraint Goodridge, Christian Mills, Jeff MacLean, Grant Thompson (sub. Rob Blatchford).
Subs not used: Nicky Hooper, Tomasz Hejduk, Samir Misbah.
Llanwern 4 BARRY TOWN 2 (aet score @ 90 mins 2-2)
The Dragons bowed out of the Welsh Cup at the first hurdle when they lost 2-4 at Llanwern. Nicky Hooper and Tomasz Hejduk scored the Dragons goals.The result and performance were a disappointment to all the supporters who were at the game. Three of Llanwern's goals were scored from one on one situations with keeper Dan Bradley. Barry Town had many shots at goal but very few were on target or were too weak to trouble the keeper whereas Llanwern scored from 4 of the 6 or 7 chances they created.
Llanwern deserved the victory and will meet Neath Athletic in the Second Round.
Very few positives could be taken from the game and the team will have to bounce back quickly if they are to get their season back on track after two successive defeats. They travel to Caerau Ely on Saturday for a League Cup game.
Tredegar Town 1 Barry Town 0
The first meeting between the clubs ended in defeat for the Dragons. It was a tale of two 'penalties' one given for the home team and one not given to The Dragons. To be honest the team did not deserve much out of the game with the Tredegar keeper only making one save in the game. In contrast Dan Bradley made several saves to keep the scoreline down.
Nicky Hooper made his debut and was one of the few players who came out of the game with any credit. This was undoubtedly the poorest performance of the season and Manager, Gavin Chesterfield will be looking for huge improvements in the forthcoming Cup matches. All the players now realise that opposing teams really lift themselves because they are playing Barry Town. Our history ensures that to beat us is considered a huge scalp.
With a break until 19th September manager Gavin Chesterfield will be hoping that the training sessions will give him the chance to regroup. New signings Geraint Goodridge and Richard Thomas will be available for the Cup game at Llanwern whilst Gareth Picknell, Zak Misbah, Samir Misbah and Jeff MacLean will be hoping to be fit whilst Nathan Cadette is available after a one match suspension.
BARRY TOWN 3 Ammanford Town 2
The Dragons got back to winning ways but had to come from 0-2 down to take the points against their West Walian opponents. In the end though they fully deserved the 3 points.
The game was less than 2 minutes old when a poor clearance from the Barry defence fell to LIam Preece. His fierce shot from just outside the box gave Dragons keeper Bradley no chance. Bradley was called on minutes later when a Barry corner was cleared to the half way line where an Ammanford forward raced away but was thwarted by the legs of Bradley.
Ammanford were not to be denied and again slack defending failed to clear the ball and it was crossed for Luke Fayers to easily head into the net. The Dragons managed to regroup and although they did not manage a clear cut chance, restricted Ammanford as well.
The interval gave Gavin Chesterfield the chance to tell the players where he thought they were going wrong. It obviously worked as the team were immediately on the attack and within 15 minutes were level, both goals coming from Polish striker Tomasz Hejduk. His first finished of a great move resulting in a sublime cross from KIeron James. Hejduk, unmarked at the far post had the easiest of jobs in heading home. The pressure was beginning to tell and 8 minutes later the Dragons were level when a mix up in the Ammanford defence saw the ball fall to Hejduk who calmly placed the ball into an empty net from 20 yards.
Most supporters would have settled for a draw after 15 minutes of the first half, but the team sensed that all 3 points were now there for the taking. Mounting pressure led to a free kick being awarded with 10 minutes left. Jamie Bradford stepped up to fire the ball home for his 3rd goal of the season. THe DRagons had a setback moments later when for two yellow cards in the space of a couple of minutes saw a red card being produced to Nathan Cadette.
Although this seemed to galvanise The Dragons it was Ammanford who should have scored. A cross into the box was missed by the defence and unbelievably from no more the 3 feet out and in the middle of the goal an Ammanford player managed to put the ball over the crossbar.
Sensing that the game was going their way The Dragons produced a few more chances before the end. The best of them was a 25 yard shot from sub Zak Misbah which the keeper brilliantly turned round the upright.
For their 2nd half fightback the team deserved to win, but Gavin will be telling them though that they must turn 45 minute performances into 90 minute ones.
Team: Dan Bradley, Rhys Carr, Gavin Chesterfield, Liam Duff, Lewis Cosslett; Rob Blatchford, Nathan Cadette, Jamie Bradford, Kieron James; Tomasz Hejduk (sub. James Hall), Grant Thompson (sub. Zak Misbah). Subs not used, Liam Hobbs, Giles Smith, Andrew Rees.