Barry Town United leave it late in brutal encounter

Saturday, October 11

Welsh League Division 2

During the course of a season, there are usually several defining moments which determine the path a team will take. It was no different for Barry Town United Saturday last, and if this type of performance is repeated then, honours may not be far behind at the end of the campaign.

This was a Barry performance full of bravery, grit and at times no mean skill either. Tempers were generally held well as Llwydcoed, who had had the edge in a good first half of football, imploded in a chaotic manner after the interval.

Which was a real pity as Llwydcoed are a good footballing side befitting their picturesque Welfare Road ground and settings.

The large pitch (by Welsh League standards) was given a good soaking just before kick off by a shower of biblical proportions, but fortunately the rest of the game was played in balmy autumnal sunshine with the majority of the crowd of around 100 (mostly from Barry too) soon removing their coats in the unseasonal sunshine.

With Barry's injury list mounting and other enforced absences through work, fans were stunned to hear that stalwart 'keeper Dan Bradley was missing out through illness, and with a reserve keeper's signature still being processed, he was being replaced by Damon Searle between the posts.

Yes, Damon Searle, the former left back and central defender, now into his forties was making his debut between the sticks and despite conceding three goals which he could do little about, his role on Saturday may well prove crucial as the season unfolds.

Barry conceded a goal after two minutes, due largely to some good wing play down Barry's left, but Searle girded his loins and confidence with an entertaining and forthright exchange of views with a few of the home support. Suitably unimpressed by their comments, the Town assistant manger grew in stature. Town had equalised after 7 minutes when James Dixon, one of the numerous Barrians in the side, stroked home his seventh goal of the season.

Ryan Dorrian, who had been the pick of the Barry midfielders and who'd linked well with Troy Greening, ended up with a nasty shin injury and was replaced at the interval which saw the scores level at 1-1.

Chances had fallen to both sides and Barry were indebted to Searle, who pulled off a fantastic fingertip save at full stretch to save a 30 yard drive from flying into the net. Maybe not cat-like, more grizzled old lion determined to let none pass. That save did his confidence and his team's the world of good.

We don't know what was put in Llwydcoed's tea at the interval (raw meat it seems) but they came out in a quite ferocious fashion for the second half, exchanging their good football for some strong arm tactics and some tough tackling. With both Dorrian and Ryan Evans off at the break through injury, replaced by Theo Richards and Bobby Briers, Town fell 2-1 behind after a wickedly deflected shot wrong footed the defence. Seven minute s later Barry were back on level teams when Rhys James equalised, driving home through a defensive melee.

On 63 minutes a Llwydcoed breakaway down Town's right saw Searle ultimately thwarted by a crisp near post drive to make it 3-2 to the home side. Using the slope and Bobby Briers' long throws to great effect, Lewis Cosslett's header almost gave Barry the equaliser after 66 minutes, his neat reverse flicked header hitting the top of the bar.

Tackles came crunching in as Llwyd's discipline collapsed in the afternoon heat. On 69 minutes, Dixon picked up a booking for a push on the right back and in a moment of madness he aimed a blow at the Barry forward. Picked up by linesman Shaw, the referee Morgan, had little choice but to dismiss the home defender.

The Llwydcoed bench erupted in fury and despite firm warnings from the referee, the collective temper of the valleys side erupted. Two more were booked, the Llwyd manager did his best impression of a Krakatoa-like explosion, and Barry hunted a levelling score.

Which amid the chaos they got when Rhys James, who has already developed a very useful knack of scoring very important goals, netted his second goal to make in 3-3.

Another two Llwyd players earned yellow cards and to be honest they were lucky several more of their players weren't dismissed as some leniency was show to some ugly two footed lunges. Brad O'Loughlin, on for Rhys James must have had eyes in the back of his head as he avoided two brutal lunges from behind, both of which would have hurt him badly had they connected.

As it was, only James Dixon for a second bookable offence saw the early bath before Barry grabbed a dramatic and given the circumstances, a deserved winner.

With space being found all over the pitch, some probing runs from young Curtis Hutson, and Paul Morgan began opening up the hosts defence in search of the winner. Astonishingly, while almost pulling Lewis Cosslett's arm out his socket, a Llwyd central defender implored with the referee to give a foul .That he duly did. A penalty for obstruction and/or pulling on the shirt of the Barry player.

The only surprised person was the offending defender as it was a blatant foul to Barry. Up stepped Bobby Briers who slammed home the winner from the spot. A fine victory in an entertaining and fractious game of football.

All players deserve the greatest of credit on a difficult afternoon but none more than Man of the Match, Damon Searle, a football man through and through who took the plaudits on the day. At the end of the game manager Gavin Chesterfield and Chief Coach Mike Cosslett both looked exhausted, almost as if they'd kicked every ball themselves. The stress was over, a crucial three points were in the bag and unbeaten in the League Barry, remain top of the table.

Barry: Damon Searle; Paul Morgan, Lewis Coslett, Ryan Evans ( Theo Richards), Lee Baldock; James Saddler, Ryan James, Ryan Dorrian, Troy Greening: Curtis Hutson and James Dixon. Unsused sub: Keir McInery

Photo above: A rarity - Damon Searle in goal-keeper's kit

Next up is a trip on Saturday, October 18, to Taffs Well for a League Cup tie and this is followed by the first home game since September 13, when Caldicot visit Jenner Park on Tuesday October 21, kick off 7:45pm.