Caldicot Town 0-0 Barry Town Utd

Barry battle to earn valuable point at promotion rivals

Barry battle to earn a credible away point at promotion rivals

At the half way point in the Welsh Women’s League season, Barry Town Utd Ladies faced arguably their toughest challenge of the season to date with an away trip to current league leaders and promotion rivals Caldicot Town.

Only one point separated the two teams going into this fixture from the opening 10 league games and this match would be a good measure to see how Barry’s promotion credentials would stand up.

The visitors made three changes to their starting line-up from last weekend’s win at home to Merthyr with Erin Brennan, Tracey White and Harriet Hurrell coming into the team for this fixture. It was to be Hurrell’s first start following her recent promotion into the first team having represented the club’s development team earlier in the season.

The opening stages of the game were cagey with both teams struggling to retain possession for long periods with a difficult playing surface but the game was being played at a high intensity. Caldicot had a number of set piece opportunities which were dealt with by the Barry defence and Charlotte Preen had two long range efforts that went wide for the visitors.

The best chance in the opening period however fell to the hosts when an under hit back pass was collected by Kelly Cutler but her shot was denied by excellent save from Brennan in the Barry goal. Both teams defences were on top as the half time whistle blew.

Barry started the second half on the front foot having a good 15 minute spell of pressure on the Caldicot goal. Preen went close again with a free kick that went over the bar but the visitors best opportunity came on the hour mark. Sian Rees combined with fellow striker Emma Cannon who burst towards goal, but her shot was tipped over by the Caldicot goalkeeper to keep the score at
0-0.

Both teams were defending resolutely dealing with aerial balls comfortably and pressing in numbers to deny space for the creative players in both squads to thrive. As the second half moved into the final 15 minutes, Caldicot started to exert more pressure on the Barry goal. Substitute Emily Bayliss went close for the host with a shot that went over the bar and Brennan also denied the hosts for a second time with a good save.

Ultimately both teams struggled to conjure up many clear cut scoring opportunities in a good battle between two evenly matched teams.

With the match finishing 0-0, Barry will be pleased to take a point with a home fixture to come against Caldicot later in the season. The draw in this fixture has seen Aberystwyth return to the top of the table following their away win at Cascade meaning the top three are now separated by 2 points with nine games to go.

After the game, manager Luke Williams commented; “We are pleased to take a point away from home against one of our promotion rivals and both defences came out on top today with a draw being a fair result. I was delighted with our player’s attitude and desire to take something from the game and there is a lot to play for over the remaining nine league matches. There is very little between the top three teams and I’m sure there will be plenty of twists and turns before the season is out.

Barry now turn to Cup action next Sunday as they travel to take on Cascade Ladies in the Quarter Final of the Welsh Women’s League Cup.