Hughes scores twice but Nomads edged out by Barry

Rhys Hughes produced two clinical finishes for the Nomads against Barry Town United at Jenner Park on Saturday afternoon, including a stunning free-kick. Both goals were equalisers from earlier setbacks suffered, but Barry stole a late 3-2 victory through Ieuan Owen’s solo effort.

Defeat on the road for the Nomads leaves Billy Paynter’s side in eighth-place and five points adrift from a place in the top six following Saturday’s other results across the division.

Team News
Paynter made just one change from his team’s victory at home to Cardiff Met last weekend as Jordan Pownall replaced the injured Fumpa Mwandwe. It was also a pleasure to see Callum Bratley back in the matchday squad for the first time since our UEFA Europa Conference League home leg against NK Bravo in July. He was named on the bench along with Elliott Dugan, who returned from a minor spell on the sidelines.

Barry boss Steve Jenkins made three changes from his side’s 4-1 loss to The New Saints last time out as Mike George, Josh Beecher and Keenan Patten replaced Harrison Bright, Ryan Kavanagh and Josh Yorwerth.

First Half
Barry came closest to taking the lead in the early stages of the match as Robbie Willmott’s powerful free-kick forced George Ratcliffe into a crucial diving save.

There was then a nightmare period for the Linnets as injuries to both Eliot Richards and Ollie Hulbert in quick succession meant Steve Jenkins had to use up two substitutes. Ryan Kavanagh and Kayne McLaggon were the two replacements.

McLaggon opened the scoring for Barry just three minutes after he entered the pitch. The striker controlled Sam Snaith’s looping pass and slotted beyond Ratcliffe at the near post.

Second Half
Paynter turned to his bench before the second half got underway as Luca Hogan replaced Ben Maher to provide fresh legs up front.

Mike George probably should have put Barry two goals to the good six minutes after the restart as his close-range strike at the back post from Keenan Patten’s low ball smashed against the post.

The Nomads got back on level terms shortly before the hour mark courtesy of Rhys Hughes. The former Cymru U21 international met Declan Poole’s low cross just inside the area and sent a clinical first-time effort into the bottom corner.

Barry introduced Ieuan Owen midway through the second half, and he put his side back in front with a simple finish from Ryan Kavanagh’s initial shot, which fell kindly into the path of the substitute.

However, the Nomads equalised again, and it was another moment of magic from Hughes as he stood over a free-kick from 25 yards out and superbly picked out the top corner with a powerful strike, which left goalkeeper Luc Rees no chance of the save.

The Nomads, full of energy after Hughes’ stunning equaliser, pushed for a late winner, but it would be Barry who snatched all three points late on as a swift counter-attack saw Ieuan Owen race into the final third and curl into the bottom corner for his second of the afternoon.

Elliott Dugan replaced Dan Roberts in a late attacking change, but it was too late for the Nomads to find another equaliser.

What’s Next?
We take a break from JD Cymru Premier action next weekend as we continue our defence of the JD Welsh Cup with a third round tie away to Trefelin on Saturday, 16 November at 2:00pm.

The only previous meeting between us and Tref came in the 2021/22 Welsh Cup third round when Jamie Insall’s brace, along with strikes from Paulo Mendes and Declan Poole gave us a dominant 4-0 victory on the road.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer