Welsh Cup special: Underdogs Gresford stun Cymru South leaders Barry in amazing away performance

Gresford celebrate their amazing Welsh Cup win at Barry. Picture: Gresford Athletic Twitter – much thanks

WELSH CUP THIRD ROUND – NOVEMBER 12, 2022

Barry Town United 0
Gresford Athletic 2 (Mann 63, Barratt 90+3)

What a fantastic performance from Gresford Athletic.

Very much second favourites as they made the long trip to South Wales to take on Tier 2 JD Cymru South leaders Barry, Eddie Maurice-Jones’ side, one off the bottom of the JD Cymru North, returned home from Jenner Park as heroic winners.

An outstanding display from the Colliers began in the 12th minute, when Dominic Deacon’s shot went close after Charlie Mann played him through.

A bad injury for Athletic’s Simon Smith forced him off in the 23rd minute. He is, thankfully, all okay after a hospital visit.

In the 35th minute, Deacon was a threat again, heading over the bar from a good Mann cross.

Jonathan Hill-Dunt, replacing the injured Rhys Williams in the Gresford goal, was called upon for the first time in the 36th minute, when he pulled out a great save.

George Macready had a chance to grab the opener in the 40th minute, but his header just cleared the bar. Paul Johnson did the same soon after.

Ellis Turner had a decent effort in the third minute of added time, but it was blocked by the home defence, meaning the score was level at the break.

Paul Johnson was Gresford’s man of the match – picture: Gresford Athletic Twitter – with thanks

Gresford continued to have chances in the second half, a Deacon shot being tipped over the crossbar in the 60th minute by Michael Lewis.

It was in the 63rd minute when the Wrexham-area visitors finally found the opener, Mann tapping in the rebound from an initial saved shot.

The underdogs held their lead solidly and it was not until the 89th minute that Hill-Dunt had to come and collect the ball from a good Barry free-kick.

Then, sub Jacob Barratt secured the win for Athletic, doubling their lead in the third minute of added time, meaning they progress into the fourth round/last 16 with an incredible result.

Paul Johnson was named Man of the Match for Gresford after a superb performance, although there were a number of great displays.

Gresford Athletic

Jonathan Hill-Dunt
James Smith
George Macready
Sam Pickering
Paul Johnson
Josh Griffiths
Simon Smith (Nathan Williams 23)
Ellis Turner
Dominic Deacon
Sam Spridgeon (Jacob Barratt 72)
Charlie Mann