Cup win is big boost for Barry (From Barry And District News)

Cup win is big boost for Barry

WITH the row over pricing at Barry Town still rumbling on, at least the players are proving they are worth what the fans are being asked to pay to see them.

An emphatic 5-0 thumping of Maesteg Town in the First Round of the Shamrock Travel League Cup did much to put the smile back on the faces of the Barry faithful.

It was a win that was as emphatic as any in recent memory. Manager Dave Hughes, who was concerned last year that he would be labelled 'the worst manager ever' prior to Colin Addison taking over, has now won three times in five games.

Hughes has constructed a strong team around him, and the Barry fans are being treated to the types of performances from defender Neil O'Brien, midfielder Gary Davies, and striker Paul Fowler, that no doubt gave their old team, Llanelli, their glorious Championship winning run-in of last year. Last Saturday's match was 'only' a League Cup match against a team that had so far not registered a goal in the league, let alone a win.

However, psychologically it was a crucial win, and one that sets the boys up for the big Welsh Cup clash this Saturday at Jenner Park. It was Maesteg who actually had the first attempt on goal, from a free-kick, but this was excellently parried by Marty Ellacott.

It was an ex-Llanelli axis of talent that set up the opening goal for Barry. A deft chip into the box by Gary Davies fell to the head of a stooping Paul Fowler, the ball bounced passed the Maesteg keeper and it was 1-0 to the Dragons. A gilt-edged chance went begging for Maesteg soon after, and the half ended 1-0 to a confident Barry.

Within minutes of the restart, the ever-industrious Sherbon momentarily found himself with a slim chance of a shot, and with the help of a post Barry were now 2-0 up. Paul Fowler got his second and Barry's third soon after, and it was all over for Maesteg.

A second yellow for Michael Waters meant Maesteg were down to ten men in the later stages. Barry's fourth goal came from the foot of the returning talent of Gavin Beddard only seconds after coming on as a sub. Barry rapped up proceedings with a fifth after a ludicrous mishap by a Maesteg defender, from Dragons skipper Adam Moore.

l Barry Town FC Super Six Lottery winning numbers for September 7, 2004: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12. One winner. New jackpot £1,000. Next draw September 14, 2004: numbers one to 20.