Five without reply (From Barry And District News)

Five without reply

Barry Town 5, Haverfordwest 0

REALLY the visitors from West Wales can be thankful that the scoreline was only 5-0 on Tuesday evening.

Barry keeper Simon Raynor didn't really have a save to make, whilst the Blues keeper Peter Blain was the reason, Barry didn't score double figures!

Barry go five points clear at the top ahead of Rhyl who they play on Saturday at Jenner Park at 2.30pm and will want to get revenge for the 3-1 defeat at Belle Vue earlier in the season.

John Lewis's men held Barry to a 1-0 interval lead, David Toomey forcing the ball over the line from Kennedy after 26 minutes. Blain made several good stops to keep the score down to just 1-0.

After 55 minutes the only chance that Haverfordwest had all match saw David Watts hit the bar, which even Raynor at 6ft 5in could not get to. Three minutes later Ramasut supplied the cross for Jamie Moralee to score and it was 2-0.

On 66 minutes, Mike Flynn slotted the ball home for 3-0. On 70 minutes Tom Ramasut got on the score sheet and 73 minutes saw Moralee get his second from the penalty spot when Eston Chiverton handled. Barry had several chances to increase the scoreline but Blain did well with several one on ones to deny Barry further goals.

After Saturday's game against Rhyl, Barry travel to Swansea next Tuesday for the FAW Premier Cup semi-final. Ring Tim on 734050 if you would like to travel on the bus for this important match.

Barry Town 4, Caersws 3 (Welsh Cup 4th Round)

This win last Saturday was more emphatic than the narrow scoreline suggests, although it cannot be denied that Caersws gave the cup holders a tough game.

As in the league match a month ago, the mid-Walians scored three goals, but this time Barry hit four instead of nil.

Warning signs for Barry are that six goals have been conceded in the last three home games.

Only seven clean sheets in 28 domestic games shows some defensive frailties.

If Barry continue to defend deeply then surely a midfield anchor man is required.

No one can doubt Barry's attacking qualities but they are sometimes open to counter attacks.

Slackened off

This game saw six first half goals, three coming in the first seven minutes. Barry took a 4-2 interval lead but slackened off in the second half when the game was seemingly won.

Unfortunately referee John Collins from Swansea, and his assistants, amazed everyone with some strange decisions.

Penalising some players, he allowed a number of fouls from a physical Caersws to go unpunished, but seemed to allow Barry no leeway whatsoever.

His late decision to award Caersws a penalty when Graham Evans fell in the box, but to wave play on when Mike Flynn was apparently tripped a minute later at the other end, incensed the crowd.

Pleasing for Barry was the form of Tom Ramasut who had a superb game to earn man of the match.

After only three minutes, Ramasut was released down the left by Gary Lloyd and he crossed early for Flynn to finish. A long throw by Mark Howells was dropped by new keeper Simon Rayner and Graham Evans pounced to equalise.

Barry went 2-1 up after seven minutes, and again it was Ramasut, celebrating a new contract, who was the prime mover. Lee Phillips crashed the ball home for his first goal since November.

Andrew Davies spotted Rayner off his line and Barry's new keeper had to stretch his 6ft 5in frame to tip the ball over the bar.

Twice, desperate defending from Mickey Evans' men, almost created own goals but went out for corners as Barry turned on the heat.

The pressure paid when on 31 minutes Richard Kennedy netted with a superb 25 yard curler for only his second goal of the season.

As Barry back pedalled in the 40th minute, Sean Jehu hit a sweet shot into the corner. It was 3-2 for just four minutes when Jamie Moralee netted after more good work by the irrepressible Ramasut.

Barry's 4-2 interval lead had more or less killed off the game, with Barry choosing not to go out for more goals.

Andy Yorke was stretchered off early on with a badly cut ear, and was replaced by Jamie Jenkins.

Barry's best move of the half saw Kennedy run clear but instead of shooting he passed the ball to Dave Toomey who was running wide and could not get a clear shot on goal.

In the 88th minute Evans scored from a hotly disputed penalty but it was Barry who will appear in the last eight, meeting TNS at home on March 9.

6th form shows the way

Barry Town AFC were absolutely delighted to have the match ball for the Caersws game sponsored by the 6th form students at Barry Comprehensive School.

Special thanks to Ashley Cox who was instrumental in setting up the fund amongst students with a "Save The Town" campaign.

It took a month of hard work which is inspirational for these lads to take such a stand in a town where apathy to our local football club is so apparent. From a town of 50,000 people just 299 turned up to support its professional football club.

No doubt the success of Cardiff City with its high profile takes a couple of thousand people to Ninian Park, but almost 300 hearty souls cheered their home town club to the quarter finals of the Welsh Cup and a passage to Europe.

Thanks to Barry Comprehensive 6th Form, who have shown what young men without income are willing to do, to show pride in their home town and its football team.

* See photo and report on page 30.

Kenny's view

The News caught up with Kenny Brown after Monday training to ask how he felt the season is going.

With important games coming up, Kenny was asked also how he considered them, especially the Swansea match on February 19.

Kenny said he was pleased with everything, seeing the team on track for another title and some more silverware. "The players' attitude has been brilliant", said Ken. "They deserve full credit and are getting better all the time.

"I haven't even thought about Swansea", exclaimed the ex-West Ham defender. "Although it would be nice to win through to the final and the money that can be won".

Kenny has been employing various training techniques, using the Astroturf, the gym at Holm View and Barry Island beach.

"Obviously our training is affected by the weather, so we make use of all the facilities we can."

Barry Town's injured players are Jon French (hamstring), Lee Jarman (Achilles heel), and now Andrew York.

"With a small squad we have signed Nicky Burke until the end of the season," Kenny added.

He heaped praise on groundsman Mike Griffiths for his care of the well used pitch. "We can play games when others can't", he said.

Asked about which players had improved, Kenny said: "Scott Morgan has been an inspiration since winning his place at the back. Tom Ramasut, who I met by chance, and not playing, came for a trial and has been a revelation in the last few weeks.

"Dave Toomey has also proved to be a good signing for us, and will score lots of goals for Barry Town."

One final question to Ken. What does he think about the majority of Barry's games now being away, while Cwmbran, a potential threat to Barry's championship aspirations, have most games at home?

"Not a worry", said Ken. "Our away form has been good, whilst Cwmbran will be playing catch-up to cram in all their games before the end of the season.