BARRY Athletic Football Club started its 40th season with both its men's teams travelling into the Vale. It was 40 years ago that the very successful Cadoxton Albion club decided to change their name and set up a permanent home at the Athletic Club on Barry Island.

After a great pre-season and an even better player recruitment drive the senior section of the club hope that this landmark year will be one to remember.

Substitute Nathan Gratton was the hero for the Athletic 'A' after coming off the bench to score a trademark volley in the dying seconds to earn a 3-3 draw away at Cowbridge 'A'. Goals from Kyle Caton and Jay Hammill had put the Athletic 2-1 up but a hard working Cowbridge clawed their way back into the game and thought they had won it before Gratton ruined their day.

The team would like to extend its thanks to Lee at Spartan Motor Factors on Broad Street for sponsoring kits.

Under a new coaching team of Jeff Howells, Emlyn Samad and Anton Williams the Barry Athletic 'B' team travelled to play St Athan. With high expectations from a very young St Athan 'B' team, it was always going to be a tough test. Athletic dominated early parts of the game but it was St Athan who led 2-0 at half-time after two counter attacks had the defensive lines in disarray.

After regrouping at half-time, the Athletic bounced straight back with a glancing header from the energetic Spencer Price.

Unbelievably, St Athan went straight up the other end and made it 3-1. With Athletic now camped in the opposition half Ryan Hales grabbed a second to renew the team's hopes. Captain Kyle Ceesay then scored a penalty kick before finishing the game with an absolute screamer, into the far left hand top corner of the villagers goal, sending the Athletic back to Barry with a hard earned three points and some valuable lessons learned.

The team would like to extend it's thanks to Arvi at Nisa Local on Vere Street for sponsoring their kits.

The club's history, dating back to 1946, can now be viewed online at clubwebsite.co.uk/barryathleticfc/244864/History, anyone that has any information, old photograph's or even old unwanted trophies to compliment this information can contact club chairman, Ady Gratton, on 07722124759.