Caersws obtained three valuable league
points at a sun-drenched Jenner Park this afternoon, against a
much altered Barry Town side, compared to the side that
visited the Village last Tuesday. The new side, playing their
first
game under equally new manager David Hughes, battled hard
throughout but the Bluebirds, though missing several key
players, were still too strong for last year's champions.
The Bluebirds opened the scoring in the second minute,
when Kevin Scott scored with a tremendous left foot drive from
just outside the box, which should qualify for one of the
goals of the season. Caersws continued to pressure the Dragons
defence, though Barry had a goal disallowed on ten minutes
when the referee blew for an infraction before Alun Hughes
struck.
Scott continued to cause problems for the Barry defenders,
having a shot blocked after 14 minutes, and seeing keeper Lee
Rudall palm his right wing corner away, for a second corner,
under great difficulty from a crowded box.
On 30 min young Bluebird Jamie Davies released Graham
Jones, whose cross from the right was well held by the Barry
keeper. A minute later Graham Jones once again saw his low
shot saved by Rudall. Caersws were denied a penalty after a blatant foul on Graham Evans by the keeper,
but to everyone's amazement referee Kevin Parry waved play on!
Caersws continued to pile on the pressure, with Graham Evans
shooting narrowly across goal on 38 minutes, and Hugh Clarke
sending a back post header wide from Scott's cross two minutes
later. Barry had an opportunity
on 41 minutes when defender Alex Fletcher was forced to hook
the ball over his own bar.
Caersws sealed the game in the last three minutes of the
half when Graham Jones released Graham Evans, who scored with
a low shot to the keepers right from 12 yards on 42 minutes,
and seconds before the interval whistle, Graham Jones crossed
from the right for Jamie Davies to score the third goal.
The second half saw Barry put the visitors under pressure, but
creating few clear cut chances, with Hugh Clarke and Colin
Reynolds standing firm at the heart of the Bluebirds defence.
On 51 minutes, Alan Williams, playing his first game of
the season for the Blues, had a low shot held by keeper Rudall,
and a minute later the same player released Graham Evans, who
lobbed over the bar from the edge of the box. The keeper then
pulled off an excellent save in a one-on -one situation with
Kevin Scott on 53 minutes, followed 10 minutes later by Mark
Howells hitting the post with an 18-yard shot with keeper
beaten.
Barry reduced the deficit on 67 minutes when a long ball was
played through to Michael Emery, who rounded keeper Mulliner
before putting the ball into the unguarded net, although to
some he was at least 2 yards offside. This
goal terminated Andy Mulliner's record run for the Bluebirds
of 11 hours 11 minutes since conceding a goal.
Young Mark Probert made his debut for the Blues when he
was introduced from the bench to replace striker Graham Evans,
who has, as yet, not achieved full fitness following his
surgery in the close season.
On 75 minutes Barry town keeper Lee Rudall once again came to
his side's rescue, saving Geraint Lewis' shot following a
Kevin Scott long throw into the box.
Caersws by this time had probably settled for 1 - 3, but
continued to break from midfield, and on the 89th minute
Graham Jones' effort was exceptionally well saved by the Barry
keeper at the expense of a corner.
Barry Town put in a good effort, especially considering most
of the players hadn't met before Thursday night, reportedly,
but Bluebirds manager Mike Evans will be well pleased with the
result, which moves the Bluebirds up
into fourth place with a crucial fixture next Saturday, at
home to Caernarfon Town.
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