One goal proves enough as town go through (From Barry And District News)

One goal proves enough as town go through

Barry Town 1, RHYL 0 (Welsh Cup Semi-Final)

WHATEVER happens between now and the end of the season, Barry Town will be in European competition this year.

The worst scenario would be for Barry to come third in the league and appear for the first time in the Inter-Toto Cup.

Fortunately for Kenny Brown's men they have two chances to perform in the UEFA Cup, and a slender chance to again compete in the Champions League.

TNS's defeat of Carmarthen saw them go four points clear of Barry with five games to go in the league.

Bangor's defeat at Newtown saw them go four points adrift of Barry.

With the Welsh Cup final now on May 11, against Cwmbran, the winner will play in the UEFA Cup. Cwmbran would want Barry to win the league; in the event of Cwmbran losing the final this would still get them a UEFA Cup place.

It may all sound complicated but Kenny Brown knows that Barry should be in the UEFA Cup, or in the top competition, the Champions League if TNS falter in the closing stages.

To get through to their third successive Welsh Cup final, Barry were never really troubled by Rhyl who had only one clear cut chance throughout the game at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth.

Wayward shooting saw Barry score only the one goal but that was enough on a bone hard Aberystwyth pitch.

Barry's midfield performed more credibly than in the win over Caersws. Tom Ramasut was bubbly as was Jamie Jenkins, whilst Ken Brown did well as linchpin.

Play went from end to end until Barry started to mount a series of attacks with Bayo Akinfenwa failing to convert a couple of chances.

Gary Lloyd and Jamie Jenkins skied a couple of efforts whilst Jon French missed a clear cut chance after good work by Bayo . The second half saw Barry again making most of the play and Leo Phillips was prominent on the right hand side with some good crosses.

The only goal came when Phillips set up French to score in the 65th minute.

Rhyl's only chance came when Moran was clear on goal but his shot hit the post and keeper Ali Baruwa gratefully gathered.

There were no real shocks for Barry after that but Lee Phillips went off with a badly cut head.

Kenny Brown was upbeat about the win. "We can now concentrate on the remaining five games and we'll be looking for maximum points with four at home and one away."

Barry will meet Afan Lido tomorrow (Friday). Lido have a formidable away record and the Dragons will need to get players wide to break down what will be eight players in defence with the Port Talbot side hitting on the break.

In 15 away games, Lido have lost only once and conceded just ten goals.

The visitors will know all about Jamie Moralee and will also be well aware of Bayo.

Route one football is unlikely to succeed against a well organised defence and Barry will have to attack down the flanks to supply the front runners.

Kick off is at 7.30pm.

Barry have not conceded a goal in their last four games, coinciding with the debut of Bayo Akinfenwa, and will want to keep that record going by claiming all three points.

They meet Carmarthen at Jenner Park on Tuesday when kick-off is also at 7.30pm. Barry's final away game is at Oswestry on Saturday, April 19.

Ring Tim on 734050 to book your seat on the bus.