Two second half goals in little over three minutes saw Barry Town United come from behind to earn three points at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue.
Aber had led early in the second half thanks to a strike from Steff Davies but the visitors earned the three points thanks to goals from Kayne McLaggon and Jordan Cotterill who’d earlier seen Clayton Green sent off.
Aber made five changes to the starting line up from Wednesday’s defeat with debuts being handed to Stephen Hewitt and Miles John. Matthew Jones, Rhys Davies and Gwion Owen returned to the starting eleven in place of Ilan Hughes, Jonathan Evans and Jonathan Folingo.
The woodwork at both ends of the ground were busy early on with Barry being denied twice and Aber once in the opening quarter of an hour. Nat Jarvis hit the bar although the linesman’s flag would have denied the striker the opening goal before Kayne McLaggon saw a glancing header bounce off a post for the visitors. At the other end, Steff Davies came within inches of giving Aber the lead as his deftly executed lob beat the returning Mike Lewis but not the crossbar with the ball bouncing agonisingly off the bar and to safety for Barry.
Having to contend with a driving wind and torrential rain, to their credit, both sides looked to play expansive football although there was little to report in terms of goal mouth action as the half progressed. For the visitors, a glancing defensive header from Matty Jones nearly caused the Seasiders’ defence problems whilst for Gavin Allen’s side, Marc Williams hoisted the ball superbly over the head of Luke Cooper but his shot was comfortably stopped by Lewis.
With the game meandering towards half time, Aber were awarded a freekick around 25 years out. Jones whipped it brilliantly around the wall and with the ball destined for the bottom corner, a superb save from Lewis kept the scores deadlocked.
Aber took the lead with the second half just four minutes old. A free kick from the edge of the box was whipped in by Jamie Veale. His cross found Davies unmarked who, whilst falling, managed to swivel and get his shot off and into the goal for his first JD Cymru Premier goal of the campaign.
The goal sparked the game into life with both sides looking to up the tempo to the play. David Cotterill’s freekick was superbly stopped by Connor Roberts in the home goal and from the resulting corner, the ever dangerous McLaggon could only scoop the ball high over the Dias stand from eight yards out.
On the hour mark, Barry were reduced to ten men when Clayton Green challenged Stephen Hewitt late in front of the home dugout. After a consultation with his linesman, referee Lee Evans reached for his red card and the former Carmarthen Town man headed to the dressing rooms.
Despite having a numerical disadvantage, Gavin Chesterfield’s men were level midway into the second stanza. Cotterill fizzed in a dangerous free kick from the left and the slightest of touches from McLaggon saw the ball find the far corner of the net.
Just three minutes later, Barry completed their turnaround. A mistake at the back allowed Jordan Cotterill a free run on goal and one on one, he coolly slotted the ball home, capping it off with an acrobatic celebration.
Despite plenty of endeavour to get back on level terms from the home side, the visitors defensive unit held firm and earned the spoils.
The defeat will be a tough one to take for Town although Gavin Allen will be pleased to have the opportunity to right the wrongs of today at Cefn Druids on Tuesday evening. Kick off at 7:45.
