'Who's out on the wing?' (From Barry And District News)

'Who's out on the wing?'

BARRY FC"s excellent run of form continued apace in the Vale of Glamorgan Premier League last Saturday, when the Linnets travelled to Rhoose for their first game of the new year - and came away with a well-earned point.

Rhoose are one of the early pace-setters in the League, but even an under-strength Barry side have shown that they will no longer roll over and let teams dominate them.

Awarded a penalty for hand ball early on in the first half, Rhoose looked certain to take the lead and leave the Linnets with a mountain to climb.

With the Rhoose players prematurely celebrating their stroke of good fortune, the only cheers resulting from the spot-kick were from the Barry faithful as they watched the ball go up, up and away quicker than the holiday package flights leaving from the airport.

It was certainly a let-off for Barry, but in fairness the away team were coping well enough with their more auspicious rivals.

With Barry suffering from injuries and illness before the match, and with some enforced substitutions early on, the Linnets were still proving awkward to break down.

The half ended with the teams still level at 0-0 after a highly entertaining and competitive first 45 minutes.

Despite a string of excellent saves, Rhoose at last took the lead on the hour mark with a well-taken goal by Davidson, resulting in a rather elaborate celebration.

Unlike the early days of the league, the Barry boys didn"t wilt, but instead dug deep and fought tooth and nail for the equaliser they richly deserved.

As the minutes ticked by the visitors were still very much in the game, and one sensed that Rhoose were beginning to get a little rattled that they hadn"t taken control of the game.

With only minutes remaining, father and son duo Paul and Ben Taylor combined to give the Linnets a well-earned point.

Paul Taylor strode into the Rhoose box with the ball and was soon illegally upended, and the referee blew for a penalty.

Talking later, manager Ashley Griffiths admitted that it was a pressure kick, but if young Ben Taylor is to get experience, that moment was the time to start.

With many fans peering through their fingers, Ben had no such doubts and coolly slotted the ball past the Rhoose "keeper for his tenth goal of the season, and a point that keeps Barry FC firmly in the chasing pack.

The Linnets are now unbeaten in the last five league games, winning four of them. This Saturday, though, they take on Sully at Jenner Park, kick-off at 2pm.

Form at home has been more erratic, but the players are eager to show fans they can perform on the big stage as well.

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