by Jordan Jones
BARRY Town United’s unbeaten run came to an abrupt end as they were victims of a 4-1 thrashing from Caernarfon Town at The Oval.
Second-half goals from Gruffydd John, Sion Bradley and a penalty from Nathan Craig gave the Canaries a resounding victory.
Barry conceded an early goal from Darren Thomas but responded from the spot from Kayne McLaggon.
The south Walian side were without seven players as they made the long trek up to North Wales. The spine of their midfield was decimated with six midfielders missing.
Gavin Chesterfield was forced to rejig his team from their 2-0 win over Airbus last Saturday; Clayton Green and Jordan Cotterill were missing through suspensions, Callum Sainty, Robbie Patten, Troy Greening and Cardiff City loan duo George Ratcliffe and Sion Spence were absent due to injury.
Caernarfon controlled the tempo of the game early on, creating a number of half attacks.
They were able to score with the games’ first meaningful chance on goal.
A well-structured move from Caernarfon was finished off by the influential Darren Thomas who snuck a low effort under Mike Lewis to provide an early lead for the hosts.
As Barry sought a quick response they were slightly aggrieved in Cofis keeper Alex Ramsay not being penalised, believing he had handled the ball outside the box after Kayne McLaggon put a chase on Ramsay.
Lewis pulled off some goalkeeping heroics to block a second goal for Caernarfon as he denied Danny Brookwell.
Barry were provided with an opportunity to level from the spot.
They delivered through Kayne McLaggon who scored his eighth goal of the season, sending Ramsay the wrong way.
Barry’s goal upset the rhythm of Caernarfon’s play as they began to play a number of sloppy passes.
Caernarfon regrouped from the second-half and found their groove again as Gareth Edwards and Gruffydd John went close with two headers.
Barry though almost took the lead for the first time. Momodou Touray’s shot from distance forced Ramsay to parry to Fahiya, but the Barry attacker put his tight-angled shot wide.
Gareth Edwards’ hopeful ball forward earned them a corner-kick as Lewis collided with Brookwell.
Caernarfon made the most of the set-piece as Lewis’ punch fell to Gruffydd John who scored with a flipped header.
The Cofis had the chance to double their lead when Chris Hugh fouled Darren Thomas in the box for a penalty.
Nathan Craig – who usually scores from the spot – duly delivered with a coolly taken penalty.
Barry lost the solidity that has been synonymous with them this campaign as gaps began to show in their defence.
Sion Bradley rubbed salt into the wounds as his heavily deflected shot left Lewis flat-footed for a fourth goal for Sean Eardley’s men.
Jamie Breese nearly got in on the act but Lewis did well to keep the scoreline down with a fine save.
As the game began to grow flat, Gavin Chesterfield handed academy product Jack Pascoe a Cymru Premier appearance.
Caernarfon managed the game well in the dying stages to make for an afternoon of frustration for Barry.