Resolute Barry hold out for a draw (From Barry And District News)

Resolute Barry hold out for a draw

GRANGE QUINS 0 Barry Town 0

DESPITE the pre-match hype from the Director of Grange Quins, Richard Pinch, that the first-ever League clash between the Quins and Barry Town was going to be a showpiece occasion, the game fell well short of expectations - at least for Richard Pinch.

Barry manager Dave Hughes however must have been moderately satisfied by the performance of his players though, as the Dragons defended deep but adequately enough in the second half to fend off a Quins side that sees nothing short of winning the Championship as their destiny this season.

Featuring a clutch of players signed since the Addison controversy, yet another new-look Barry took to the field at Leckwith. With the Barry squad now taking shape, a 0-0 draw against one of the teams that will no doubt be near the top all season was a solid, if not spectacular result.

Quins are a team who are craving success. To this end the Leckwith Stadium-based side have pulled together a strong team, featuring the likes of ex-Barry players Terry Evans, Leon Jeanne, and Gareth Elliott, in order to achieve their ultimate goal of Welsh Premier League status come May 2005. For Barry Town, a period of consolidation is required following last season's traumas, the recent loss of a high-profile manager and virtually a whole new squad in the hands of an as-yet-unproven manager.

In light of this, perhaps Saturday's goalless draw can be seen as a decent point away from home, rather than a disappointing start to the new season.

The game itself began in bright, warm conditions. The game was a mixture of poor passing and midfield play, with a sprinkling of goal area incident at either end.

Barry striker Nana Baah volleyed the ball inside the Quins box only for it to be apparently defended with a hand, but no penalty. Baah was soon in the thick of the action again as he broke into the Quins penalty box, his resulting shot struck a defender, and the ball looped up and over the keeper only for it to rebound back into play off the crossbar.

Baah, who looks like he could entertain us a lot this season, pulled off an audacious overhead kick from outside the box, but the ball again came back off the crossbar.

As the minutes ticked by Hughes took off Baah and fellow striker Morgan Harris in favour of a more defensive line-up. This gave Quins the upper hand, and by the 75th minute they had the ball in the back of the net, but the referee's assistant flagged for offside - to the outrage of Quins manager Paul Giles.

Quins were playing all the football now and in the latter stages appeared to have two good shouts for a penalty. The first was actually well defended by Dean Philpott, but the second was not so conclusive, and Barry were able to breathe a sigh of relief as the referee finally blew for full-time. Barry Town had to cope with a late onslaught, but unlike much of last season, were resolute enough to deal with it.

Barry are in action at Jenner Park this Saturday (August 21) against Briton Ferry, and will also meet Bettws next Tuesday (August 24) in a 6.15pm kick-off. For directions to the ground log on to www.forzabarry.co.uk.