Crows defeated (From Barry And District News)

Crows defeated

CWMBRAN 1 - Barry Town 2

BARRY made hard work of this Easter Monday local derby, sweating out the 90 minutes when they should have had the game sewn up by half time.

A clutch of missed chances in the first half kept the Crows in the game, and had the home side always in with a chance of an equaliser.

With Bangor beating Caernarfon the champions could ill afford to lose points, and were certainly glad to hear the final whistle.

One sensed that Barry were relying on their ability and lacked a little commitment. This quality was certainly not lacking in the Crows' camp and they gave 100 per cent effort even though it seems a European place is beyond them.

Kenny Brown's men will have to be vigilant in their last six games if they are to retain the title.

No-one can be taken for granted and Bangor and TNS are still right behind Barry in what is now a three horse race.

Barry are 29-64, Bangor 28-59, TNS 27-54.

Barry play Connah's Quay (a), Flexsys (h), Llanelli (h), Oswestry (a), Newtown (a).

Bangor meet TNS (h), Haverfordwest (h), Newtown (a), Afan Lido (a), Rhayader (a), Carmarthen (a).

TNS play Bangor (a), Caersws (h), Rhayader (a), Cwmbran (a), Newtown (a), Llanelli (h), Connah's Quay (h).

Jamie Moralee hit a superb shot on the turn in the 12th minute, but Crows keeper Pat O'Hagan was quick to react and stop the goalbound shot.

Minutes later Tom Ramasut found his way into the box but again the Crows keeper reacted smartly to deny the Barry midfielder.

After Simon Raynor kept out a fierce drive, Ramasut was pulled down on the edge of the box. Gary Lloyd curled the free kick superbly into the corner of the net in the 27th minute to open the scoring. Gary followed this up with two superbly timed tackles on Richard Carter.

Dave Toomey saw his shot tipped over by O'Hagan, who then seemed to scoop the ball from behind the line when York prodded goalward from a Lloyd corner flicked on by Toomey.

Barry were playing some nice football but instead of the three or four goal lead they deserved, they went in at half time level. A Watkins free kick curled into the near post corner of the goal with Rayner caught out, expecting a far post cross. A defender on this post might have helped, but it was 1-1 at the break.

Man of the match Gary Lloyd found Toomey's head with a corner and his flick-on was put home by Lee Phillips to make it 2-1 to Barry after 55 minutes.

The Crows kept battling but only a missed header by Mainwaring troubled Rayner.

Ramasut had a great run on goal and tried to place his shot but the keeper stuck out a leg to deny him. The miss of the match came when Jamie Moralee worked the ball superbly on the right, and his cross gave Flynn a golden chance make the game safe. Unbelievably he headed over with an empty net in front of him.

Flynn had a match he would rather forget and never really got going, whilst Moralee and Toomey showed improved form though Toomey was unfortunate not to have got on the end of the crosses in the first half.

It's cup fever on Saturday as Barry travel to Llanelli to meet Ton Pentre in the Welsh Cup semi-final. The other tie is Bangor v Flexsys, also on Saturday.

NB. Barry Town offices are open on Saturday from 11am for face painting for all supporters young and old. Kevin Green is urging supporters to travel in numbers and get behind the team. The kick off is at 1.30pm and the supporters coach leaves at 11.30am. Ring Tim on 734050 for travel info. Adults £6, children £3.

Everyone is invited to the players' lounge after the match to meet the players in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

At the time of writing, next Tuesday's game at Connah's Quay is in doubt because of the Queen Mother's funeral, Supporters should contact Tim for an update.