BARRY TOWN UNITED 1 BALA TOWN 1 Report by Ian Johnson

BARRY Town made a bright start to the new Cymru Premier season with a 1-1 home draw against Bala Town, last season’s third placed club.

Ollie Hulbert gave Barry the lead at Jenner Park, but the visitors equalised through a second half penalty.

Nevertheless, Barry boss Steve Jenkins will be happy with a strong performance in which Town often dominated the game.

Barry quickly found their feet. Former Newport County player Robbie Wilmott, coming straight into the squad to make his Barry debut, set up Evan Press, whose powerful seventh minute shot from distance cannoned off the bar.

Moments later, Kayne McLaggon got down low to head a near post cross into the net, but was flagged offside.

Barry took the lead in the 15th minute. Kayne McLaggon’s pass split the Bala defence and Hulbert took his shot first-time, firing low to the keeper’s right to put Barry 1-0 ahead.

Just before half-time, Bala’s Louis Robles rattled the bar with a free-kick.

Robbie Willmott in action for BarryRobbie Willmott in action for Barry (Image: Perry Dobbins Photography)

Early in the second half, Barry almost made it two, Keenan Patten dancing through the defence but McLaggon’s shot rippling the side netting.

Disaster struck for Barry in the 67th minute when the ref judged that Ben Margetson had brought down Osebi Abadaki inside the box, and Bala equalised through a George Newell penalty.

Barry responded strongly, with visitors’ keeper Noel Torrance pushing wide a fierce shot from Eliot Richards.

As the game twisted and turned, Barry ‘keeper, Liam Armstrong was forced into action, saving from Abadaki, while a Robles effort was disallowed for offside.

Barry finished the game the strongest.

In the final ten minutes, chances fell to Callum Sainty, Hulbert and Patten as Barry pressed for a winner, with a double save off the line from Torrance saving his side a point.

On Friday (16th August), Barry make the short journey to Cardiff Met for a Cymru Premier local derby, kicking off at 7:45pm.