by Ethan Harris
BARRY Town United will aim to bring their three-game losing streak to an end when they host Penybont in the Cymru Premier on Friday evening.
After going unbeaten in their first 11 games of the season, the Linnets have faltered in recent weeks in the midst of a midfield injury crisis.
The two teams met on the opening day of the season, and provided a drama-filled 90 minutes as Gavin Chesterfield’s side came from behind to win 2-1, despite being reduced to nine men in the final moments.
The previous meeting between the sides at Jenner Park was in the third round of last season’s JD Welsh Cup, when Barry ran out comfortable 4-1 winners.
Jonathan Hood – who scored the winner the last time these sides met – will be absent for the Linnets as he sits out through suspension, while Troy Greening remains sidelined for the rest of the season through injury.
A 1-0 loss away from home to the Cefn Druids last weekend saw Barry slip to fourth in the table, six points from the top of the league with a game in hand.
Much of the Dragons’ hopes will rest on the shoulders of striker Kayne McLaggon. The former Weston-super-Mare man has netted eight goals in the league this season, and his scoring exploits will be key to them returning to some sort of form.
Penybont – playing in the top-flight for the first time in their six-year history – have seen their fortunes improve in recent weeks, after picking up four points from their last two games.
A 2-1 comeback win over Airbus UK Broughton last time out means they are only four points behind Aberystwyth Town in eighth, still with two games in hand.
Despite picking up only two wins in the league to date, Rhys Griffiths’ side have not been guilty of a lack of spirit, displayed by their late equaliser at Cardiff Metropolitan and the stoppage-time winner against relegation rivals Airbus.
A draw would see the KYMCO outfit climb out of the relegation zone on goal difference, while a victory would move them two points clear of the Wingmakers.
Cardiff City loanee George Ratcliffe could be in line to make a return, after the goalkeeper featured in Wales Under-21s’ 1-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Wrexham on Tuesday.
