Barry Town United 2, Haverfordwest County 0
Barry Town United maintained their push for promotion to the Welsh Premier League in a hard fought match against rivals Haverfordwest County.
Almost 400 spectators were at Jenner Park for a crunch clash in the First Division title chase.
Manager Gavin Chesterfield and his Barry team must finish in the top two to go up, but the leaders would much prefer to be crowned champions.
West Walians Haverfordwest are also chasing a double even though they are not applying for promotion. County, too, are going for the title and have qualified for the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup semi-finals where they play Bridgend Street.
Barry earned a crucial home win against County to move six points ahead of their third-placed rivals with eight games to play.
Louis Gerrard almost scored after seven minutes when full-back Paul Morgan whipped in a cross to the far post, but his header flew just wide.
County had their best chance of the match five minutes before half-time when referee Leigh Jones played an advantage in their favour, but Nicky Palmer smashed his shot over the bar.
Only two minutes later Gerrard struck when his quick feet took him away from two challenges inside the penalty area before he smashed in a shot which flew off goalkeeper James Gwilt and hit the underside of the bar before flying into the net.
Barry’s work ethic and their fluent, flowing passing game kept the home team on top for long periods, but County played their part in an entertaining match and Greg Walters was an influential figure in midfield.
Centre-forward TJ Nagi headed Barry’s second goal after 69 minutes when they caught Haverfordwest with a quickly taken free-kick. The ball was fired across the pitch from right to left and Gerrard chested down before darting past a defender and crossing for Nagi, timing his run perfectly, to head in from close range.
Jordan Cotterill went close with a free-kick from Barry’s right which clipped the far post.
Barry set themselves a five-year plan to regain Welsh Premier League status when they were in Welsh League Division Three and they have made startling progress.
They have eight matches left and the first of those is at Taffs Well on Saturday.
Barry Town United: M Lewis, P Morgan, C Hugh, L Cooper, C Watkins, J Saddler (capt), L Gerrard, T Greening (C Sainty 72), TJ Nagi (J Dixon 72), J Cotterill, D Fahiya (T Webbe 85). Subs not used: R Evans, D Bradley.
Haverfordwest County: J Gwilt, M Broome, K Speake, S Pemberton (K O’Brien 77), J Evans, N Palmer, R Watts, G Walters, A Bevan, R Dalling (S Davies 66), L Hudgell (S Williams 66). Subs not used: L Luby, C O’Sullivan.
Attendance: 362.
Welsh League Division One
Top six only – all teams play 30 fixtures
Pl GD Pts
1 Barry Town United 22 +27 47
2 Goytre 22 +21 43
3 Haverfordwest County 22 +7 41
4 Caerau Ely 22 +14 39
5 Penybont 21 +12 36
6 Cwmbran Celtic 25 +6 36
Division One midweek results: Afan Lido 1, Caerau Ely0; Barry Town United 2, Haverfordwest County 0; Port Talbot Town 4, Risca United 2.
Barry Town United’s remaining First Division fixtures
March
Saturday 18 v Taffs Well (away, 2.30pm)
Saturday 25 v Caerau Ely (home, 2.30pm)
April
Saturday 1 v Ton Pentre (away, 2.30pm)
Saturday 8 v Goytre United (home, 2.30pm)
Saturday 15 v Risca United (home, 2.30pm)
Tuesday 18 v Goytre United (away, 7.30pm)
Saturday 22 v Cambrian and Clydach (away, 2.30pm)
Saturday 29 v Ton Pentre (home, 2.30pm)