NEWPORT COUNTY 3 Barry Town 2

BARRY Town exited the Welsh Cup in a blaze of glory last Wednesday, narrowly losing 3-2 to Newport County at Spytty Park in a thrilling and memorable third round encounter.

Spurred on by an enthusiastic and noisy travelling support, the Dragons started brightly, forcing a save from County goalkeeper Glyn Thompson in the second minute and playing some neat and attractive passing football.

At the other end, Dan Bradley in the Barry goal saved well from Luke Prosser, although the first 30 minutes was largely a feeling-out process - and a prelude for the drama that would lie ahead.

While Barry were without the in-form forward Christian Doidge, cup-tied from an earlier round, the lively and industrious TJ Nagi proved a constant thorn in Newport's side.

As Barry pressed on, a splendid move on the half-hour saw Nagi weave by several defenders, find space at the edge of the penalty area and fire a glorious dipping effort into the top left-hand of the goal - wedging itself in the corner of the stanchion.

The terrific strike lit a fire in the match, and with thoughts of a mighty upset tantalisingly on the horizon, invigorated the crowd and players alike.

To their credit, Newport's professionals played their way back into the match, though Barry would always look a threat on the breakaway.

Just when the game appeared to have settled, Newport were level, as Elliott Buchanan's low drive deflected into the Barry net 5 minutes before the break.

To his credit, manager Gavin Chesterfield kept his players' heads up, and the second half saw the match swing pendulum-like, as both sides pressed their claim to progress in the competition.

As the rain lashed down, Newport utilised the flanks to full effect, stretching Barry to their limit and bringing the best out of fullback duo Lewis Cosslett and Lee Baldock Fortune appeared to favour the home side on the 71st minute, when Felino Jardim's effort sneaked under Bradley and gave the Exiles the lead.

Stunningly, within a few minutes the Town were level; a wild swing of an Amber leg gifting a penalty kick, which Nickie Jones duly dispatched with outstanding composure.

The final 15 minutes was pulsating, with both teams going agonisingly close.

Barry had a second, and seemingly cast-iron penalty appeal turned down, to roars of disapproval from the travelling Town supporters. Undeterred, a wonderful flighted ball to Nagi seemed bound for glory, only for Thompson to deny the exciting Barry forward.

Both sides struck a post during a frenetic stretch of play, and extra time seemed an inevitability, before a perfect long-range effort from Scott Rogers settled matters in Newport's favour, with just 5 minutes remaining.

Reduced to 10 men for an off the ball incident, Barry came nail-bitingly close to tying things up at 3-3, but it was not to be.

Nobody could question the effort and endeavour of the Barry players, who came within a whisker of securing a famous result.

The Barry team were applauded off the field, and now refocus their sights on their Welsh League campaign - starting with a home match against Goytre United this Saturday at Jenner Park, kick-off at 2pm.

Barry Town: 1 Dan Bradley, 2 Geraint Frowen, 4 Lewis Cosslett, 5 Dan Clare, 3 Lee Baldock, 7 Nickie Jones, 8 James Saddler, 6 Scott Jones, 11 Michael Hartley, 9 Anthony Nagi, 10 Ryan Jenkins.

Subs: 12 Damon Searle, 14 Michael Parkins, 15 Joshua Bell (Saddler 78), 16 Rhys Lewis, 13 Brendan Cropley.

Newport County: 1 Glyn Thompson, 2 James Harmer, 4 Joe Thomas, 5 Wayne Hatswell, 3 Paul Morgan, 7 Darryl Knights, 6 Scott Rogers, 8 Guillame Velez, 11 Felino Jardim, 9 Luke Prosser, 10 Elliott Buchanan.

Subs: 12 Lee Evans (Velez 45), 14 Dan Compton, 15 Kris Fielding (Buchanan 62), 16 Ryan Young, 13 Matthew Swann.