Barry Town retain top spot with away win

AFTER two successive draws on the road Barry Town United retained top spot after a tough and gritty win at Risca on Saturday.

While the weather saw bright, dry and sunny conditions for once, this time it was traffic conditions on the M4 which caused the travelling players, fans and officials problems.

A bad crash saw large tailbacks develop around junctions 33 and 34 which delayed the arrival of the Barry based players meaning manager Gav Chesterfield started the game with the 11 he had instantly available. A good and experienced team took to the field at Ty Isaf Park and were welcomed by a good crowd of around 200, swelled by the travelling Barry fans who struggled through the traffic.

Risca have recently been difficult opponents for Barry, and many will remember a bruising 3-1 defeat at Ty Isaf last season. True, Barry had to work hard to win this season's September game 2-1 and the same hard game was expected on Saturday. Nor was anyone disappointed.

Risca are a credit to the Welsh League on and off the pitch and gave Barry a really difficult game again, one the club were glad to come away with maximum points. The first half was a pretty even affair but Barry took a one goal advantage to the interval courtesy of a penalty from Bobby Briers. Dale Howarth came close with a second just before the interval but the 1-0 score was just about a fair reflection of the game.

The second half was very much a blood and thunder affair as the Cuckoos threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Barry in an attempt to score. But this Barry team were born out of defiance and today they needed every ounce of resolve and that they showed.

Chances went to both sides, Risca hounded the Barry players and queried the referee's every decision but the man in black stood firm. The fans got behind both teams as the absorbing game developed.

Risca began to get the upper hand and it came as no great surprise when they equalised midway through the second period. A header from a free-kick hit the bar, Barry couldn't clear it and the rebound was nodded home . Risca pressed strongly and came close to taking a lead and things became quite fraught when Barry were temporarily down to 10 men through injury.

As it was, the injured Geraint Frowen, who had put in a sterling shift in the unusual position of left back, was replaced by Paul Morgan after Ryan Evans had cleared a goal bound header off the line. In a double substitution, James Dixon came on for Blatchford as Barry still sensed it could take all three points.

Dixon was soon booked and luckily avoided dismissal for a second foul with the home fans baying for a red card. This decision was soon to prove crucial for Barry and the Cuckoos. Risca strained every muscle and sinew trying to win the ball, disrupting Barry's usually silken play and stopping Town from retaining the ball for any period of time.

But such effort, without reward, often takes its toll and with just three minutes of normal time remaining Dixon converted a fantastic cross by Jamie Bradford to give Barry a second goal. The home fans were mortified, the Barrians elated and Dixon quite delighted as Barry's top scorer this season had scored his eleventh goal of the campaign.

Still Risca had a chance to equalise, and a free kick conceded on the edge of the area in stoppage time did little for the nerves. Fortunately the resultant shot sailed over the bar, leaving Barry with a 2-1 win, three more points and this Risca team, who continue to impress their opponents from Barry, to rue their luck.

Barry: Dan Bradley, Bob Briers, Lewis Cosslett, Ryan Evans, Geraint Frowen (Paul Morgan), Rob Blatchford (James Dixon), James Saddler, Troy Greening, TJ Nagi, Jamie Bradford & Dale Howarth

Subs unused: Tom Billing,Rhys James & Lee Baldock

The updated table shows Town's current position.

Pos DIVISION TWO P W D L F A GD Pts

1 Barry Town United 16 13 3 0 43 18 25 42

2 Caldicot Town 18 12 3 3 35 14 21 39

3 West End 20 9 4 7 35 34 1 31

4 Aberbargoed Buds 15 9 2 4 38 17 21 29

5 Chepstow Town 17 7 6 4 31 26 5 27

6 Risca United 14 7 3 4 28 22 6 24

7 Llanwern 16 7 2 7 39 33 6 23

8 Croesyceiliog 16 6 4 6 35 32 3 22

9 Undy Athletic 14 6 3 5 28 22 6 21

10 Cwmbran Celtic 10 5 4 1 18 10 8 19

11 AFC Llwydcoed 16 5 2 9 30 43 -13 17

12 Ely Rangers 18 5 2 11 29 47 -18 17

13 Caerleon 16 4 3 9 24 34 -10 15

14 Penrhiwceiber Rangers16 3 5 8 23 41 -18 14

15 Tata Steel 16 2 2 12 14 33 -19 8

16 Dinas Powys 16 2 2 12 20 44 -24 8

Off the pitch news filtered through of manager Gavin Chesterfield's appointment to the Wales Under 15 coaching set up. There is no-one associated with the club who would begrudge the boss this richly deserved accolade for his efforts.

On Saturday, if the weather holds, Town are due to entertain Caerleon at Jenner Park, kick off 2pm. Following that a trip to Chepstow (February 7) follows before Barry are due to return to Jenner park for home games against Ely Rangers (Tuesday, February 10, 7.45 pm kick off) and Croesyceiliog on February 14.