Barry Town United 1 West End 0

BARRY were met by a wall of massed blue shirts on Saturday afternoon as West End of Swansea, the only team to have taken points from Barry this season, were content to stifle United and to try to counter on the break.

In glorious sunshine, the game produced many a chance for both sides, but the home side definitely deserved the three points. Barry remain top of Division 2 of the Welsh League with an impressive 34 points from a possible 36 available.

Several changes were needed following the win at Dinas Powys, the most noticeable absentee being that of Ryan Evans who was replaced by Bob Briers in the heart of the defence.

With the pitch in very good condition, Barry opened brightly and almost scored after two minutes when Rob Blatchford's shot skimmed the bar. But just a couple of minutes later a slip from Briers let in Torvotella who was denied by Bradley.

Torvotella continually threatened throughout the afternoon and was only let down by a lack of support and some indifferent finishing. Town dominated possession but clear-cut chances were hard to find though Rhys James, who along with fellow midfielders, Bradford, Saddler and Greening had terrific games.

West End forays into the Barry half were rare but dangerous and on 18 minutes a clever ball from the Barry right eluded both Barry central defenders, and fortunately the onrushing Lloyd Howarth was denied by a hefty boot upfield.

Saddler's crunching tackles allowed Greening in particular to probe deep into the heart of the West End defence and two forty yard passes along the ground were of the highest quality, one of which fell to the pacey Blatchford whose shot from the right was well-saved by keeper Harding.

An injury to full-back Gowan saw West End introduce substitute Scott Smith into the game and the Swansea side re-jig its defence. West End continued to have their moments and two corners midway through the half caused some consternation before being cleared.

A familiar theme began when Blatchford breezed past the defenders at some pace only to see his hard, low-driven cross elude the Barry forwards, and with five minutes of the half remaining, James completed a similar pass form the other side of the box which Saddler shot wide.

Probably the best chance of the half game right on half time. Bob Briers, peering into the lowering afternoon sun, floated a tricky free kick into the box. The ball fell to TJ Nagi, about eight yards off goal, who unfortunately slipped when about to strike and an entertaining half ended goalless.

The visitors stared the second half on the front foot bought were soon on the back foot. After five minutes play in the second half, the referee, really should have punished West End defender Gareth Howarth who brought Nagi down with a nasty foul from behind.

On 53 minutes, Bradford, alone in the box, was again denied by the excellent Harding and just a minute later Rhys James produced an outrageous piece of bye-line trickery to waltz past three West End players in the box only to see his pass fizz across the face of the goal. Alas, no Barry forward could find the crucial touch.

Further half chances fell Barry's way before a smart break, the second in a minute down Barry's right flank saw the visitors denied, to what many spectators in the ground thought was a clear penalty when the industrious Torvotella appeared to have been felled in the Barry area.

On such decisions matches are decided. And with Torvotella again missing another chance when the match appeared to be heading for a goalless draw, or a sneak away win for the visitors. A spectacular save from Dan Bradley with 20 minutes remaining denied Dean Richards a goal and riding their good fortune, Town almost went ahead after 73 minutes.

Yet again a Barry player, this time Nagi, slammed a fine ball across the face of the box. It was met by Morgan whose astonishment was completed when his well-hit shot was brilliantly saved by Harding.

Excitement built as the Town fans rallied behind their team and on 80 minutes, substitute Smith brought down the hard-working Nagi in the box and Briers stroked home the resultant spot kick to give Town their only goal and the three points. Still the excitement hadn't ended and only a timely interception from Lewis Cosslett prevented the chance of an equaliser.

Barry Replacement Dale Howarth had one last chance to wrap up the points but mis-kicked with the goal agape but it didn't matter as the whistle soon sounded, to give Barry the narrowest of wins.

Next up is a trip to nearby Ely Rangers on Saturday (20th) and that's followed y a home game against Tata Steel on the 27th to end a terrific calendar year of football at Jenner Park.

Barry: Dan Bradley, Paul Morgan, Bobby Briers, Lewis Cosslett, Lee Baldock, Troy Greening, Jamie Bradford, James Saddler, Rhys James,TJ Nagi, , Rob Blatchford (Dale Howarth) Unused Subs Curtis Hutson, Tom Billing, Damon Searle & Geraint Frowen

Tickets for the club's Christmas Prize Draw are still on sale on and are now available from the senior, youth and junior squads and from LDS Motor Factors on Cardiff Road.

More than 30 prizes will be up for grabs, including a 50-inch TV, tickets to a match at the Emirates Stadium,a VIP chauffeur experience and more.

The draw will take place at Jenner Park following Barry's home match on Saturday, December 27, with further information on the club's websiteat www.barrytownunited.com