After a stirring second half comeback, Aber Town were devastated to lose to an injury time goal at Jenner Park, Barry on Tuesday night. The hosts took an 8th minute lead through Ieuan Owen and dominated the first half; however, Town came back and Rico Patterson’s outstanding equaliser in the 90th minute was deserved. Eliott Richards then nodded home a winner for the Linnets (90+3 minutes) which proved the Cymru Premier Gods continue to frown at the boys in Black and Green.
On another chilly evening, Barry started at pace with Owen Cuddihy prominent down the left, and he touched wide early on. Aber’s Elliot Scotcher was forced off with an injury, and then Barry took the lead as a corner from Michael George rebounded fortunately for Owen at the back post to prod the ball home. Barry’s pace in attack was causing Aber problems, however the Greens were also creating chances: Abdi Sharif ran through on goal and collided with the home keeper in the box, being awarded a yellow card instead of a penalty. Owen then played in the industrious Ollie Hulbert and his shot was touched over the bar brilliantly by Dave Jones, who then denied Robbie Wilmott and Ryan Cavanagh with more excellent saves. Jonathan Evans fired wide then Patterson sent a free kick inches past the near post for Aber who were growing into the game, and Jones punched two corners clear to ensure a half time score of 1-0 with the visitors improving.
Owen hit the side netting for Barry to open the second half, then at the other end Patterson tried a snap shot from the right which was not far wide, and Evans’ cross just evaded Niall Flint. Barry hit the post before bringing Jones back into play, then Patterson had another shot deflected over, and Owen’s ball back in was deflected over the bar by the home keeper. Sharif saw a back post header cleared off the line, then Hulbert broke up the other end and blasted inches wide, in an exciting second stanza. Jones denied Owen, then another header at the near post, and the game was in the balance. Then right on the 90th minute came possibly Aber’s goal of the season as a brilliant move saw Owen lay the ball back for Patterson to slam the ball home off the crossbar from outside the box, a sumptuous strike. The visitors pushed in injury time for what would have been a sensational winner, however down the other end Richards connected with a late right wing cross, and the ball looped into the top corner to break Aber hearts.
The gutsy visitors were applauded off by their supporters after this match, and Antonio Corbisiero’s men created enough opportunities over the game to deserve a point, however it was not to be. Town remain 9 points adrift at the bottom and now need to win at least three of their last four games to have any hope of survival. Defeat at home to Briton Ferry a week on Friday would confirm relegation but the Black and Greens fight on.
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