BARRY TOWN UNITED 3 SWANSEA CITY U21 2: Report by Ian Johnson

BARRY Town completed their pre-season warm-up with a 3-2 victory over Swansea City, ahead of Friday night’s MG Cup match at home to Llanelli.

Manager Steve Jenkins continues to make slight changes to the starting eleven, in this case welcoming Keenan Patten back from injury to start the match, while Kayne McLaggon and Ollie Hulbert were the chosen strikeforce.

In the opening half hour, Eliot Richards saw his low shot pushed away, while a McLaggon shot was deflected away for a corner.

Swansea took the lead after 35 minutes. Taking a corner from the left, the ball ended at the back post where Barry ‘keeper Liam Armstrong saved the initial shot but saw the second effort go past him into the net.

As so often during pre-season, most of the goals came in the second half, where Barry dominated the opening minutes before scoring a 55th minute equaliser.

A short corner on the right saw a low ball into the box from Evan Press which was directed in at the back post by Ollie Hulbert.

Barry made it 2-1 five minutes later. A Ben Margetson header was tipped over the bar, but the resulting corner from Eliot Richards saw Margetson head home, past his younger brother who was in goal for the visitors.

Ollie Hulbert and Evan Press celebrate for BarryOllie Hulbert and Evan Press celebrate for Barry (Image: Perry Dobbins Photography)

Minutes later, a Hulbert header bounced off the bar.

It became 3-1 after 75 minutes. In a goal-line melee, chances fell to Barry substitutes Callum Huggins and Drew Perrett before Huggins was finally able to force the ball over the line, appropriate timing as he celebrated his first senior contract for the club earlier this week.

Swansea scored a consolation goal after 85 minutes, shooting from outside the box to make it 3-2.

Barry play their MG Cup second round tie at home to Cymru South club Llanelli on Friday, 2nd August before opening the Cymru Premier League with a home game against Bala Town on Saturday 10th.