Report: The New Saints 2-2 Barry Town United

by Richard Early

Date: March 6th, 2020

Venue: Park Hall

Referee: Mark Petch

BARRY Town United rescued a late point in the Cymru Premier with a 2-2 draw at The New Saints on Friday evening.

Dean Ebbe netted a first-half brace, but Luke Cummings and Luke Cooper struck in the second period.

Gavin Chesterfield made three changes as Robbie Patten, Jordan Cotterill and Drew Fahiya started, while Scott Ruscoe named an unchanged starting line-up.

The home side came close after two minutes. Ryan Brobbel charged towards the edge of the box, before cutting inside and unleashing a strike that cannoned off the crossbar.

TNS went on to take the lead from the next passage of play. Jamie Mullan’s cross from the right flank was met by forward Ebbe, who beat the onrushing Mike Lewis to the ball and headed in.

Dangerman Ebbe scored his second of the game with 11 minutes played. Robbie Patten failed to clear the ball following a corner, heading backwards towards the Irishman, who nodded into the net.

The Saints were denied a third by superb last-ditch defending 13 minutes later. Midfielder Brobbel’s low drive from the edge of the box was parried by goalkeeper Lewis and Aeron Edwards’ powerful rebound was blocked by determined Cooper’s brave sliding block.

After the interval, it took the away team 11 minutes to pull a goal back. From the right wing, 28-year-old Cummings’ crossed ball struck the inside of the left post and went in.

The New Saints responded by striking the right post three minutes later. Attacker Ebbe latched onto the end of long ball and found himself through on goal, but his hat-trick attempt was unsuccessful.

TNS continued to press for a third goal and had another effort on target after 68 minutes. Daniel Redmond’s rising effort from just outside the box was gathered by stopper Lewis.

Gregory Draper was gifted a brilliant chance to add his side’s third with five minutes of the 90 remaining. The substitute was sent through on goal from a distanced free-kick, but he struck into 30-year-old Lewis’ arms.

Battling Town did find an equaliser two minutes into added time. Defender Cooper rose high in the area to head in from a corner and sealed a late point for the away side.

Final score: The New Saints 2-2 Barry Town United

Player of the match: Dean Ebbe

Gavin Chesterfield: “We showed huge character and managed to get a point away from home. I’m delighted for the boys.”

The New Saints: Harrison, Spender, Hudson, Marriott, Redmond, Edwards, Holland, Mullan, Brobbel, Cieslewicz (Draper 75’), Ebbe. Subs not used: Nembhard, Byrne, Harrington, Dutton, Rees.

Barry Town United: Lewis, Hugh, Cooper, R. Patten (Compton 79’), McLaggon, J. Cotterill (Reffell 79’), Fahiya (Press 79’), Cummings, Wharton, Touray, K. Patten. Subs not used: Morgan, Abbruzzese, Regan.