LAST week Penarth Town first team took on Barry Athletic away in the second round of the Barry Cup.

Both teams had strong line ups and it was obvious from the start it was going to be a close contest.

Neither team dominated early on although Grant Beedell had looked threatening and was determined to push forward.

One such run resulted on him being fouled just on the edge of the home team's penalty box.

As Athletic were trying to get organised, Beedell took the initiative and asked the referee if he could take the kick quickly.

He agreed and Beedell drove the ball hard and low towards the bottom left corner, the keeper saved but could not hold on and in came Ryan Williams to slot it home.

Again, the game swung back and forth but Penarth had most control with their back four of Rhys Fford, Luke Horwood, Stefano Damiani and Mark Lane looking untroubled.

So at the break Town went in with just the one goal lead.

In the second period, Penarth started to dominate with Rhys Knight and Josh Stephens providing plenty of service from out wide for the Beedell brothers, Grant and Paul but they were just not able to convert.

Then with Town holding a very high line a ball over the top was picked up by the Athletic striker who went one on one and calmly chipped over Idris Angove in the Penarth goal.

However, Penarth found new energy with Jonny Williams and Ryan Williams completely controlling the mid field.

A ball from Ryan found Stephens out wide on the right, he cut in and let fly an incredible strike from long range.

The home side's keeper saw it early but such was the power in the shot he had no chance of stopping it.

Town then settled into holding onto their lead and brought on Macauley Winton at the back to provide some fresh legs.

Athletic did apply some late pressure which required Angove in the Penarth goal to pull off a couple of smart saves.

In the end Town hung on for a fine 2-1 win and a place in the quarter final draw.