HAVERFORDEWST County AFC endured a frustrating evening at Jenner Park as they slipped to a heavy 4–0 defeat against Barry Town United.

Three of Barry’s goals came from set pieces, underlining their dominance in key moments.

Keston Davies opened the scoring from a corner, before Ben Margetson added a second in similar fashion.

Ollie Hulbert converted from the penalty spot, while Ieuan Owen produced a fine finish to complete the scoring.

The Bluebirds struggled to build any attacking rhythm and registered just one effort on target, a late strike from Rhys Abbruzzese in the closing stages.

Their best chance arrived moments before the final whistle when Ben Ahmun met a dangerous cross from the left, but his header drifted narrowly wide of the post, summing up a disappointing night for Tony Pennock’s side.

The defeat leaves County still searching for their first away win since August, with back-to-back trips to Bala Town and Flint Town United looming over the next fortnight.

Pennock admitted his tactical approach had backfired: “I got the team wrong. I made some changes to combat Barry but I got that wrong. Barry were head and shoulders better than us from the first whistle to the last whistle.

“They looked like a top six team and we looked like a team that’s struggled a bit this season. We haven’t been like that for a long time and we need to get over it sharpish. Tough test away again next Friday away at Bala.”

On their top-six hopes, he added: “That result tonight has put us in a really bad position if we’re looking at top six. I just want to win a game of football away from home and keep a clean sheet, but that never looked possible from the first goal going in tonight.”