Dragons looking to maintain good run (From Barry And District News)

Dragons looking to maintain good run

WITH the domestic game disrupted last weekend because of the match between England and Wales, attention turns once again to Barry Town's Welsh League commitments on Saturday.

Their previous match saw The Dragons ease past Division Three Blaenrhondda 3-0 in the Welsh Cup 2nd Round, with an early goal from Gavin Beddard and a brace from Adam Moore.

Taking everybody by surprise, the FAW completed the draw for the 3rd Round of the Welsh Cup last Tuesday, a tie which will see The Dragons play Welsh League Division Two side Garden Village at Jenner Park on November 6.

On the face of it, fans may be forgiven for thinking that Barry will cruise through to the next round against these relative unknowns - but it's a cup tie, and as Liverpool legend Terry McDermott is reputed to have said; "Nobody hands cups to you on a plate."

The club must be happy they've drawn a team from a lower league rather than the likes of Total Network Solutions from the Welsh Premier League. That dubious pleasure has fallen to the lowest placed team in the draw - Penrhiwfer of the Third Division!

Before this important Welsh Cup clash, Barry Town have the small matter of needing to pick up some serious points in the league. form has been nothing short of impressive since the beginning of September, and I'm sure everybody by now knows the superb statistic of six wins and six clean sheets in the last six games. Caerleon are the next visitors in the seemingly endless run of games at Jenner Park, and they will be extremely tough to break down if their league form is anything to go by.

Caerleon's most impressive result came against Ton Pentre when they held The Bulldogs 2-2 at their Cold Bath Road ground.

A heavy defeat by free-scoring high flyers Taff's Well has been the only upset to a Caerleon side enjoying its best football for some time, although Caerleon knocked the same team out on penalties last week in the Welsh Cup.

With Caerleon in eighth position, only two points behind the Dragons in the league, this will be an interesting tussle and it's one that Barry Town must win to keep up with those teams at the top.

Both Bridgend (5th) and Ton Pentre (3rd) dropped points last Thursday when the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw in Bridgend. The biggest match outside of the Dragons match this weekend will be the top of the table clash between Grange Harlequins (1st) and Ton Pentre. Barry fans will have half an eye on this result, as three points against Caerleon and a favourable result, such as a draw, between Quins and Ton Pentre will really put Barry back into the mix.

The club needs fans through the gates like never before, and with the quality of the football of a higher standard now than at any time since summer 2003, it's the perfect time to help The Dragons push for the club's ultimate dream of European football hosted back in Barry for summer 2005. Of course, we need a good run in the Welsh Cup first!

Finally, the Barry Town Supporters Club (not at present affiliated with the Club's own new Supporters Association) will be holding a general meeting at the Club on Monday, October 18 at 7.30pm prompt. Members and non-members are welcome (you can always join for £1 on the night if you wish), and it's hoped that all aspects of supporting the club will be discussed, as well as some general updates since the previous meeting way back in June.