BARRY TOWN UNITED 2 NEWPORT COUNTY 1: Report by Ian Johnson

BARRY Town inflicted a first pre-season defeat on English Second Division side, Newport County, winning 2-1 at Jenner Park last Saturday.

Although missing some familiar faces through injury, Barry’s starting eleven now has an established feel, with Summer signings Ben Margetson, Josh Yorwerth and Eliot Richards lining up alongside Evan Press, Mikey George and Kayne McLaggon.

Barry started brightly against County, with Ollie Hulbert’s fourth minute shot deflected wide, and Evan Press’s low cross collected by the visiting ‘keeper.

However, Newport took a fourteenth minute lead through Aaron Wildig. A cross from the Newport left was left uncleared and Wildig finished at the far post.

That gave the away side a confidence boost and they hit the post four minutes later.

Barry equalised in the 22nd minute. Following a foul on the left hand side, the free-kick found Kayne McLaggon in the box, who swivelled and sent a low shot into the back of the net.

There was no time for the home team to settle, though, with a Newport attack cutting through and Wildig’s shot beaten away by Liam Armstrong in the Barry goal.

Barry came out of the blocks quickly in the second half, with Newport making a large number of playing changes.

A Callum Sainty shot was pushed over the bar in the 52nd minute, and Barry’s match-winner came just before the hour.

Barry midfielder, Aiden Lewis, was bundled over, just outside the box. Taking the free-kick himself, he curled his shot around the wall and into the bottom left hand corner, making it 2-1 to Barry.

Ollie Hulbert came close to adding to the scoreline, getting past the defence but seeing his effort saved by the ‘keeper.

Barry finish their pre-season at home to Swansea City under-21s on Saturday, 27th July.

The first competitive match is the MG Cup second round at home to Cymru South club, Llanelli on Friday, 2nd August.