Welsh League Division One - Monmouth Town 1 Barry Town United 3

AFTER recording back to back wins for the first time this season, Monmouth Town welcomed title favourites Barry Town United to the Sportsground but could not continue their winning run.

The home side found themselves behind almost immediately, and while they had chances to draw level their task was made even harder when Barry scored against the run of play to gain a two-goal advantage at half time.

Monmouth came out of the blocks well in the second half, but a third for Barry in the 80th minute meant that Ashley Ford’s strike could only offer some consolation for the Kingfishers.

Ahead of the game Monmouth sat 12th in the league and manager Ross Kennedy made one change to his side that beat Ton Pentre, bringing in Rhodri Lewis for the unavailable Rob Laurie. Barry, who hadn’t lost a game since October, went into the game in second place in the league, having three games in hand over leaders Goytre.

True to their league form, the away side started the brighter of the two sides and after 55 seconds Monmouth found themselves a goal down when Simon Crook fouled a Barry player on the halfway line. Barry’s player floated a ball into the box which Jake Robinson headed away. The ball fell to Barry’s striker on the edge of the box and his deflected volley went in the bottom corner.

Despite the setback the Kingfishers kept the ball well and troubled Barry in the wide areas, nearly finding the equaliser in the sixth minute. Mitchell Palmer played a ball down the line which his brother Sam ran onto. Sam beat his man and fired his cross across goal and only a fine diving save prevented Mitchell putting the ball in the net.

The Kingfishers maintained possession well, but looked vulnerable on the counter attack with Barry’s pace up front. Monmouth continued to create chances but against the run of play Barry doubled their lead when their goalkeeper played a long ball forward which their striker ran onto and, one on one with Lee Williams, he calmly slotted it into the bottom corner.

Moments later Barry nearly got another when their full back made an overlapping run and whipped a ball into the box which found his teammate at the back post, but his volley went just over the bar.

Monmouth were struggling to cope with Barry’s counter attacking football and were lucky not to concede another when their midfielder played a through ball which their striker ran onto, but Williams made himself big and came out on top this time around.

The home side had half a chance to get one back just before half time when Mitchell Palmer won a free kick on the edge of the box. Sam Palmer’s floated ball into the box was cleared away but only as far as Kazeem Kareem who took a touch and shot agonisingly wide of the post.

The away side started the second half brightly and continued to attack Monmouth despite their two goal lead. They nearly got their reward when their winger switched the ball to his teammate and ran at Simon Crook. The shot was blocked by Crook, but the ball was played out wide to Barry’s midfielder whose first time shot was tipped around the post by Williams.

The Kingfishers managed to weather the storm and had some good chances of their own to get a goal back. Sam Palmer’s cross was met by Mitchell, whose header was straight at the keeper, while later an Ashley Ford shot forced the visiting goalkeeper into a superb diving save.

Monmouth continued to search for a goal and continued to attack Barry at real intensity, but were caught on the break in the 80th minute. Barry’s midfielder played a through ball which their striker ran onto and, one on one with Williams, he took it around the goalkeeper to end any hopes of a Monmouth comeback.

Despite going three down Monmouth eventually found their reward for their persistence, gaining a goal back in the 90th minute. Robbie Atkinson beat his man and passed it across goal. Sam Palmer played it back to Ashley Ford on the edge of the box whose deflected shot found the bottom corner.

Manager Ross Kennedy described the defeat as “frustrating” but said he was “pleased” with his side’s performance. He said: “I felt we created a lot of chances but lacked quality in the final third. I thought that we played well but need to be more organised at the back.

“Overall I am pleased with the boys. No one expected us to get anything out of the game but I felt we made a good account of ourselves and despite losing stuck to our philosophies.”

The Kingfishers travel to Gwent and relegation rivals Undy Athletic next week in what Kennedy has described as “a must win game”.