Barmouth 1-4 Shifnal Town

On Saturday Iolo Owen got his second tenure as Barmouth & Dyffryn Utd manager underway against midlands side Shifnal Town from the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division.

The match got underway with several new faces in the Barmouth lineup, Osian Owen given his first start, Joey Jones returning to the club after a spell at Bl Ffestiniog Amateurs, and Joey’s younger brother Billy given a place on the bench. It was clear from early on the visitors were a well accomplished side, passing quickly from defence through midfield but not creating much in the opening exchanges, Jono Harrison and Stephan Bratt not really put under pressure and Jamie Jones only collecting the ball from behind his goal as several chances went wide. As the game went on it was Barmouth’s young side that would grow into the game, finding success down the flanks, Bobby Griffith coming close with a shot deflected wide on 22’. Shifnal Town’s took the lead against the run of play on the half hour mark, a free kick from the right that wasn’t dealt with landed at the feet of the waiting striker. Barmouth didn’t let it effect them and came close several minutes later, returning Ieuan Brooks having a shot blocked. The visitors doubled their lead just before the break with a swift counterattack catching the magpies off guard.

Manager Iolo Owen rang the changes at half time, and moved Paul Lewis into the centre on the pitch from out on the left, and moved both Andrew Papirnyk and Ben Fisher into more central positions in midfield, the changes had an instant impact, Barmouth looking far the better side, on 48’ Llion Owen delivered a delightful free kick from the right, the ball swung to to far post, the ball deflected onto the bar by the keeper, then landing an Bobby Griffith’s feet only for him to fire the ball into the side netting. Llion had another opportunity at a free kick from a similar position moments after, a similar ball was headed clear by a Shifnal defender, only to land at the feet of Joe Soar who took it in his stride and fired the ball across goal and into the back of the net, picking up Barmouth’s first and only goal of the match. Shifnal responded instantly, before the Magpies finished celebrating they fired a goal in from the right. The fourth goal came with 68’ played, fitness of the midlands side showing, a mix up in defence giving the ball away saw Barmouth concede.

As preseason games go there was a lot for manager Iolo Owen to take from the game, young Andrew Papirnyk had one of his best games for the Magpies, Joey Jones didn’t miss a beat, Paul Lewis looked the class player he is, and substitute Billy Jones having a positive impact at the end, all things point to the Magpies beginning the season in a good position to make a swift return to the third tier of Welsh football.

Barmouth & Dyffryn United FC

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