Barry reach Welsh Cup quarter finals

Sunday, 14 December 2025 12:20

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

FAW (Perry Dobbins Photography)

Barry Town United cruised past Gresford Athletic 4-0 to reach the quarter finals of the Welsh Cup.

Two second half goals from Ollie Hulbert helped extend Barry's unbeaten run in all competition to ten games.

Barry are now one of only three Cymru Premier teams left in this season's cup - one of the most open in years - having already booked their place in the Nathaniel MG Cup final in February.

Manager Steve Jenkins made just one change from their midweek draw at Penybont with the influential Robbie Willmott returning in place of Eliot Richards.

Cymru North strugglers Gresford, who have undergone dramatic changes in personnel in recent weeks, went close in the early stages when Jake Roberts was unable to connect his floating cross with Tom Smith at the far post.

Owen Cuddihy forced visiting keeper Lewis Dutton into a point blank save while Ben Margetson's right-hand cross from a tight angle skimmed the crossbar.

Barry grew in dominance and their persistence paid on 36 minutes when Gresford lost possession to Hulbert, who played in Ieuan Owen who rounded the panicking defence and tucked his shot into the empty net to put the hosts 1-0 up.

Skipper Callum Sainty went close to a second just before half time when he headed over the bar from a standard Willmott corner.

But eight minutes after the break, some fine build-up play from Dan Barton and Keston Davies set up Hulbert who coolly struck past the motionless Dutton to double Barry's lead.

Will Richards struck the sidenetting at the far post from another setpiece before Hulbert grabbed his brace on 70 minutes, drilling home from the edge of the area with sub Dan Smith claiming the assist.

Gresford, still finding their feet under new manager Dave Jones, offered little going forward with Barry keeper George Ratcliffe on hand to deny Roberts in one of their few clear cut chances of the afternoon.

Morgan Wigley struck the far post as Barry sought to wrap up the tie with a fourth, which came in the 90th minute as the Cardiff City loanee slotted home from distance to confirm their place in the hat for Monday night's live, televised draw.

With Barry still in the hunt for cup honours going into Christmas, attention returns to the Cymru Premier on Boxing Day and a pivotal derby at home to Cardiff Met with both sides looking to chase down a top six finish ahead of the league split.

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Caerau Ely reached the quarter finals for the second season running following a dramatic 2-1 win at home to Llandudno.

Dan Griffiths equalised for the hosts just seconds after Llandudno went ahead through Adam Stephens, who was sent off in stoppage time.

Caerau took immediate advantage with Tim Parker scoring in the 91st minute to claim a memorable victory over the Cymru North leaders.

Penybont crashed out on penalties at home to Flint Town United following a goalless draw which saw an early red card for Chris Venables - and led to a furious response from manager Rhys Griffiths, who told S4C's Sgorio his side were "cheated" out of the cup.

Two Cymru South clubs fell victim to shock defeats by third-tier teams in the North - with ten-man Trefelin beaten 2-0 at Bangor 1876 after Josh Jones was sent off, while Newport City went down 5-3 to Trearddur Bay, despite a goal for ex-Barry skipper Kayne McLaggon.

Pontypridd United are also out after a 3-0 defeat at home to Colwyn Bay.

Barry will be ball number #2 in Monday night's draw, which will be shown live on S4C's Heno (7pm) following controversy raised by Flint Town United over the pre-recorded online format of previous draws.

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