Barry Ladies beaten by Briton Ferry

Monday, 6 October 2025 13:54

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

Barry Town United suffered another heavy home defeat in the Adran Premier - in what turned out to be Stevie McCarthy Campbell's final game as manager.

Sunday's 4-1 loss to Briton Ferry Llansawel was their fourth in five games so far this season - with the hosts unable to build on Danielle Broadhurst's reply at the end of a tough first half.

McCarthy Campbell announced his departure shortly after the final whistle to join National League club Gwalia United as their new boss.

Kiera Harris, who scored the winner at Aberystwyth Town, was rewarded with a place in the starting line-up as part of five changes.

Holly Jenkins, Ffion Spence, Lucy Attwood and Angharad Beman also returned with Ellie Gunney and Erin Murray dropped altogether while Emily Freeman returned to the subs bench.

It didn't take long for the forward to be called up to replace Spence, who suffered an early injury, while Ellie Preece - scorer of two goals at Aberystwyth last week - provided the first chance of the afternoon, forcing Briton Ferry keeper Courtney Young into making a fine save.

But Young's counterpart Molly Arnesen was also being tested - and after 15 minutes, Jade Crofts beat the keeper from Megan Kearle's assist to signal the start of another tough afternoon for the hosts.

Crofts doubled the lead seven minutes later, when Barry failed to clear Kearle's corner before the loose ball was bundled home by the in-form striker, who has scored four goals so far this season.

Briton Ferry came close to a third moments later when Lucy Powell skimmed the crossbar before the follow-up setpiece went wide from Lowri Ridings' header.

Barry were further punished for a handball which led to Powell scoring from the penalty spot after 40 minutes, before Arnesen was beaten again by Maia Owen's strike from a pinpoint Grace Evans cross just two minutes later.

At this point, Barry had conceded 13 goals without reply at Jenner Park this season - an unwelcome record that was eased somewhat by Broadhurst's reply on the stroke of half time.

Both Lucy Attwood and Chelsea Cochrane went close to reducing the arrears further but Briton Ferry were only sightly less dominating after the break.

Kearle again hit the crossbar from a teasing free kick while the number of Barry chances dwindled to a premium.

Evelyn Ingram made her senior debut in the closing stages in what turned out to be the final act of Stevie McCarthy Campbell's reign.

He leaves Barry second from bottom in the table and already facing a crucial test next Sunday when they visit a Pontypridd United still without a win - let alone their first point - following a 6-1 demolition at the hands of The New Saints at Park Hall.

Cardiff City remain top after beating Aberystwyth 6-1 while Wrexham kept up the pressure on the reigning champions with a 3-1 victory at Swansea City, which leaves Jenny Sugarman's side in second on goal difference.

Do you have a local news story to share? Email news@broradio.fm

 

 

More from Bro Radio Sport

Vale Weather

  • Wed

    18°C

  • Thu

    17°C

  • Fri

    16°C

  • Sat

    15°C

  • Sun

    15°C

More from Bro Radio

Local events

  • Array Theatre Quiz Night

    Array Theatre is hosting a quiz night, with an evening of trivia on October 25th from 7pm. It’s a maximum of 6 per team, at £10pp at the Cherry Orchard upstair...

    at Cherry Orchard
  • Halloween Which Craft?

    Barry Town Council’s Halloween Which Craft event is coming back. Barry Town Council’s Halloween event is returning once again, for the whole community to enjoy...

    at Central Park
  • Barry RFC Fireworks Night

    Barry Rugby Club invite you to Bonfire Night at the Reservoir Fields on 5th November. Doors open at 5:30pm, with fireworks at 7:15pm. Bring your friends, ...

    at Barry Rugby Club
  • Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (PG)

    Follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. As the beloved cast of characters navigates how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they ...

    at Memo Arts Centre
  • The Ghost Train

    On a stormy evening, a group of stranded travellers at a lonely rural railway station confront the unsettling legend of a deadly ghost train that haunts the tra...

    at The Paget Rooms
Radio
Online
App
Smart Speaker