Ely Rangers 3 Barry Town United 3

TOWN made the short journey to Wenvoe to meet close rivals Ely Rangers on Saturday, December 20th. Spurred on by a good following, United really should have sewn up all three points. As it was, an entertaining fixture, described by many as "a credit to the Welsh League", ended in a 3-3 draw, Barry maintaining its unbeaten run and keeping top spot.

True a draw felt a mite disappointing but in the end the visibly exhausted Rangers, who ran themselves into the ground to defend their home patch, deserved something from a gutsy display against a Barry team who just couldn't finish off their opponents. If the rematch in 2015 is half as good, spectators will be in for a real treat.

Barry's goals came from Paul Morgan, Rhys James and TJ Nagi

Barry: Dan Bradley, Bobby Briers, Paul Morgan, Lewis Cosslett, Ryan Evans, James Saddler, Rhys James, Jamie Bradford, TJ Nagi, Troy Greening and Rob Blatchford. Subs Used : Dale Howarth, James Dixon and Tom Billing. Unused subs: Geraint Frowen and Lee Baldock

Barry Town United 4 TATA Steel 1

The day after Boxing Day brought strugglers TATA Steel to a drier than expected Jenner Park. An extra bonus for United was its largest league gate of the campaign with a crowd in excess of 200 seeing Barry hold its lead at the top of the table, courtesy of a 4-1 win.

Due to absence and illness, youngsters from the under 19 team, Theo Richards, who started at left back ,while Keir McInery came on as a late substitute. The Under 19 team, looked after by the Owens brothers Kevin and Neil plus Wayne Rogers, will be sure to be utilised to the full during what is likely to be a busy run-in and the experience will do both lads the world of good, although for Theo that will experience will be tempered by the injury he took.

His game ended just before half time when he was injured in a hard tackle. An ankle ligament injury was diagnosed and the youngster faces several weeks on the sideline. All at the club wish him a speedy recovery. He had been more than holding his own and was replaced at half time by the evergreen Damon Searle.

Despite TATA's lowly ranking, they are a difficult team to score against. Unfortunately, scoring goals is also the main problem for the visitors who were well organised and made Barry work hard for the points.

The crowd of over 200 witnessed Barry struggling to see their dominance turned into goals. Captain Saddler who again impressed in central midfield had two early chances, as did Dixon and Nagi. Tata were content to contain Barry but nearly sneaked a goal on the half hour just a minute before Barry took the lead, Dan Bradley punching away a dangerous cross from the right.

The Barry goal followed good work by Saddler who found Dixon. The big forward released Rhys James in the box at the Gladstone Road end of the ground and his outstanding skill on the byline saw him drive the ball back into the six yard box. TJ Nagi capped his 100th game for the club with a goal as he bundled the ball in from close range, the ball eluding the busy visiting custodian, Gareth Scantlebury. Just before Richards' injury, Dixon brought another sharp save but the half ended with Barry leading by a single goal.

The second half saw Barry push forward in pursuit of further goals, and while Saddler excelled, Cosslett, Briers and Evans were dominant at the back, the pick of the players was Barrian Rhys James whose free role behind the forwards brought yet another outstanding display.

This boy has discovered the art of the close control dribble and must be a defenders nightmare to be attacked by him. Great work on the left touchline after 54 minutes by James, saw him release Nagi whose pass across the face of the goal was sweetly met by Rob Blatchford whose excellent first time finish brought Barry's second goal.

If that goal was worth the entry fee alone, at what price the final two goals both of which wonderfully executed? Just after the hour, James and Blatchford exchanged passes, James again showed fantastic footwork on the byline to set up Dixon who made it 3-0.

James Dixon could also have had another goal but contrived to clip the bar and was soon taken off to give big Tom Billings a taste of the action. But with 15 minutes remaining Tata's Pearson scored direct from a free kick. Taking a swing at the ball by the touchline adjoining the new stand, his cross come shot was missed by all players and bounced once before it crept into the far post past a bemused Bradley.

There was no danger of a comeback as Billing imperiously slammed home Barry 's fourth with a shot from the left hand side of the box which eluded the despairing Scantlebury after 79 minutes. It was another excellent strike. TJ Nagi was replaced by McInery and further chances fell to James and Billing before the match, which was really well refereed throughout, end in a 4-1 win for United.

No Barry team has ever won back to back promotions and if the wind remains fair, this Barry team has every chance of doing just that and no doubt erudite manager Gav Chesterfield will be driving on his charges with that goal in mind. United are next in action on Saturday, January 3, when Llanwern, who came up with Barry, are the visitors.

Town now lie two points in front of Caldicot, but have four games in hand over their rivals and a whopping ten points in front of Abergbargoed Buds in third place, both the Buds and Barry having played the same amount of games.

Llanwern is likely to be a difficult fixture. The Steelmen routed Ely Rangers 9-1 on Saturday and are on a good run themselves. Kick off is at 2pm and the team and officials would be delighted to see another good crowd too, so if you're not doing anything why not pop along to see your local team in action? After the game, the slightly delayed big Christmas Draw will take place at the Tynewydd Inn.

Barry: Bradley, Briers, Richards (Searle),Cosslett, Evans, Saddler, Blatchford, James, Nagi (McInery),Greening & Dixon (Billing). Unused subs, Morgan and Baldock