TNS tamed! (From Barry And District News)

TNS tamed!

BARRY TOWN 3 TNS 1

BARRY SHOT up to sixth position in the table with this excellent win over TNS, who were always second best.

Lacklustre performances against Bangor and Cwmbran were forgotten as Barry put in a first half effort of high quality, hitting the woodwork twice. But the half-time score remained 0-0.

Three late goals from Gary Lloyd, Jamie Jenkins and Jon French had the crowd singing, and a late consolation goal by TNS could not sour victory.

Management team Kenny Brown and Andrew York were able to field a full-strength side and on a warm day the Barry players gradually wore down the stubborn TNS rearguard.

Tim Edwards, always a commanding figure was dominant in the air and he was one of the few plusses for Kenny McKenna, the TNS manager.

Steve Antrobus, a bulky yet skillful front runner, caused Barry a few problems but he was stretchered off with a nasty head injury near the end.

A punch out of the ball by Forde apparently caught Antrobus who needed treatment from Barry physio Anne-Marie Brook and club doctor Liz Davies.

Antrobus was stretchered off to warm applause from the Barry crowd.

Connah's Quay lead the group with 15 points from six games and Bangor are second with 14 points from six. Then come TNS 11pts from 7, Afan Lido 11pts from 6, Carmarthen 10pts from 5, Barry 9pts from 5.

This will be a tough league to win this season and Barry will want 3 points from next week's away game at Rhyl, who are seventh.

In the first half TNS gave away a number of free kicks, and an early effort by Lloyd curled just too wide.

A lovely cross from French was headed down by Moralee into the path of Jamie Jenkins who decided to blast it and hit the bar. His brother Jody headed against the post for TNS a minute later.

A succession of free kicks and corners for Barry were the result of enormous pressure, but still the quality final ball was missing.

Gary Lloyd headed past the post and two fierce shots by Flynn went close, the second needing the keeper to scramble the ball away.

Lee Phillips, who was full of running, ballooned a good chance over the bar from a French header. Despite the missed chances Barry were good value for money and the first half hour produced excellent football.

It was the dangerous Flynn who appeared to lose control of the ball on the edge of the box as he was closed down but still toe-poked a powerful shot inches over.

After Antrobus headed wide for TNS, Lee Phillips hit a great shot which cannoned off the bar. Antrobus was booked for a clumsy challenge on Phillips just before the interval.

It was TNS who almost went 1-0 up at half-time, but a timely interception by Kenny Brown saved the day.

The second half continued with the visitors on the attack and Forde did well to deny Jones who was well marshalled by the Barry defence and soon substituted.

Twice Terry Evans was held on the edge of the box, the second time Gary Lloyd curled his free kick into the corner of the net to send the crowd wild.

Lloyd, who has been struggling with his form, was relieved and delighted with this 71st minute opener.

Antrobus left the field with his head wound and was replaced by Anthony Wright. A mistake by Kenny Brown allowed Wright in and Forde did well to make a good save. Minutes were ticking away when Moralee had a good chance but delayed his shot and was closed down. Flynn hit a strike which cannoned off a defender and for the third time a Barry player hit the woodwork.

In injury time Lloyd fooled everyone with a corner kick played low and hard to Jenkins on the edge of the box, and his superb shot into the top corner of the net put Barry 2-0 up.

Flynn, who had an excellent game, cleverly dummied a high through ball and Jon French skated through to make it 3-0 with his eighth goal of the season.

The third injury time goal went to TNS when Wright scored a late consolation for the visitors.

Barry needed this win to keep in contention and Kenny Brown was delighted with the performance.

Barry will travel to Rhyl with confidence, but the home side are always a difficult side on their own patch and Barry will again need to produce another professional performance to secure the three points.

If you have never travelled away with Barry, why not try a relaxing day out with a happy band of regulars. It is always good to cheer Barry on away from home, and there is always plenty of vocal support.

You will need to pay £3 to become a member of the Supporters Club and £10 for the bus (£5 for children who must be accompanied). Call Tim on 734050 or Neil on 418382 to book. The bus leaves at 9am.

Barry are understood to want to re-sign Luke Staton who is now on Merthyr's books. Barry's seven-day notice of approach will hopefully see Staton back at Jenner Park.

Barry, who lack a playmaker, see Staton fulfilling that role. He has been training at Barry, and although he was unable to agree terms with former manager Peter Nicholas, it seems the way is now open for him to become a contract player at Jenner Park.