Another point (From Barry And District News)

Another point

PORT TALBOT TOWN 2

Barry Town 2

BARRY Town doubled their points tally after a hard fought drawn match in appalling weather conditions at Victoria Road.

Torrential rain for hours before and during the match made the pitch a lottery, but Barry dug deep to take a first half lead and then hold on for a point against the weather in the second period.

Although former Barry player Craig Hughes and Barry boy Mark Dodds had early half-chances to give Port Talbot the lead, the first real opportunity fell to Barry's Alun Hughes who found himself in space at the edge of the box, but with only giant Canadian keeper, Simon Rayner to beat, he fired harmlessly wide.

It was a failure that Barry were to regret when Hughes found himself in space from a corner just before the half-hour. His unmarked header beat the forest of players between him and the goal to give Port Talbot the lead.

Rather than collapsing to the inevitable defeat, Barry responded well, using the conditions to their advantage. The Dragons were then rewarded in the 44th minute when a passing move again found Hughes in space. This time he made no mistake, slotting the ball past Rayner to make it 1-1.

The Barry support had barely finished celebrating before they were back on their feet to celebrate a second goal. A Barry move down the right saw the ball crossed into the middle and Hughes hammered it home from the edge of the box before wheeling away in celebration as it flew past the diving Rayner in the final kick of the first half.

As expected, Port Talbot came out in the second half with all guns blazing, but the Barry defence stood strong against the rain and the home side.

Port Talbot did equalise after an hour's play, with Barry failing to clear a high ball into the box and it fell kindly for winger Allan Clark who had the time to shoot low past Rudall.

The home side had the better of the possession, but were unable to make it count, while Barry looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with Morgan Harris seeing his cross met by a Mattie Davies header which went straight to Rayner.

Port Talbot substitute John Casey went closest for the home side, but could only find the side-netting while other chances fell to Liam Hancock, Craig Hughes and Mark Dodds, but they were unable to beat Rudall for a third time.

The Dragons battled well for their point in hard conditions, but have yet to notch their first win of the season and face another tough task at Aberystwyth tomorrow (Friday).

Barry Town: Rudall, Picknell, Minett, Harris, Rees, Elliott, Sloman, Sherman, L Davies, M Davies (S Jones 80), Hughes. Subs not used: C Jones, Brown, B Jones.