Town odds on for the title (From Barry And District News)

Town odds on for the title

BARRY 2, CWMBRAN 1

SHOULD BARRY lose 3-0 on Saturday to Aberystwyth and TNS hammer Bangor 7-0 then Ken McKenna's men will be crowned champions.

The chances of that happening are remote in the extreme, so we can safely assume that Barry Town will be League Champions and represent Wales in the Champions League this summer.

This is just reward for all the players who have worked their socks off in a 22-game undefeated run which has seen them glide past TNS who at one time held a 4 point lead.

Since the defeat at Aberystwyth on December 6, Barry have had 14 wins and three draws in the league to zoom to top spot.

Abi Baruwa has not been on the losing side apart from the penalty shoot out against Rhyl in the Premier Cup.

Bayo Akinfenwa has also made a significant impact, scoring five goals in seven games, and since he has been playing Barry have conceded only one goal.

This is hopefully a glimpse of the future as John Fashanu has promised new imports to strengthen the side.

Barry striker Jamie Moralee summed up at the end of the game just how the players felt. "We are mentally and physically exhausted after a long and difficult season.

We had to keep our eyes on TNS wondering when they were going to slip up. But we also stayed focused and in the end our professionalism came through."

Kenny Brown was thrilled that the lads had performed so well.

"They can all feel proud of what they have done and they deserve success.

We have been consistent this season, apart from the back to back 1-0 defeats against Port Talbot and TNS. We have been strong since, especially the last half of the season."

After a seven match run without conceding a goal Barry slipped up in the third minute against the Crows, defending a long throw. Mattie Davies hit the bar and Dunn followed up to give Cwmbran the lead.

Bayo Akinfenwa was a constant threat to the visitors.

Big centre half Gareth Watson pulled him back when he was going for goal, but got away with it.

Again Warton denied Bayo a header as he was first to the ball after a great Kenny Brown cross.

Jon French and Scott Morgan went close for Barry whilst a Ramasut header was well taken by Crows keeper Ellacott.

It was all Barry as the yellow shirts flooded forward but a mistake by Lee Jarman almost let in Mattie Davies who blasted over.

Bayo at last got an equaliser with a solid header on 37 minutes.

The Crows had few chances and Abi Baruwa had to make two good saves to deny Dunn and Horlin.

After Jamie Moralee flashed a header wide Bayo scored a deserved second when a powerful snap shot beat Ellacott to put Barry 2-1 ahead.

It may be almost a formality on Saturday, but Barry will be crowned champions after the game, which Kenny Brown is determined to win. Kick off is at 2.30pm.

A crowd of 561 turned up for the Cwmbran game and it would be nice to have at least 1,000 to cheer the players on in the final game on Saturday.

There are subsidised coaches for the Welsh Cup final on Sunday, May 11, courtesy of Barry Town director Clayton Jones. Already three coaches are full and it is important for people to book their seats by calling Tim Johnson on 734050. People should meet at Jenner Park, Barry Road, at 10am.

There is also interest on which Town players are selected for the Wales non-league squad to play on May 20, 22 and 24 against England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

Among those who could be considered are Barry's consistent back four of Lee Phillips, Lee Jarman, Scott Morgan and Gary Lloyd, and midfielders Tom Ramasut, Jamie Jenkins, Nathan Cotterill and Leon Jeanne.

It's a tough life for Barry players who get a very short summer break. Training is likely to restart on or about June 9, in preparation for Europe.

Don't forget the Player of the Year night on Saturday, April 26 at the Jenner Rooms, tickets £6 members and £8 non-members, from Erica on 420041.