WITH the weather dictating the football programme, Barry Town players are glad of a mid-season break to help heal up the strains and niggles which are part of a footballer's lot.

Barry are currently in second place and need to maintain their present run of form when they take on Afan Lido at Jenner Park tomorrow night.

Afan have the best record of all LoW clubs against the champions. With a talented shot stopper in Brian Thomas, Afan like to defend and hit on the break.

So often the great reactions of Thomas have frustrated the opposing strikers when Lido have been under the cosh.

Barry will have to be at their very best to carve out openings and will look to Jamie Moralee and Dave Toomey to put away the chances.

A bright note for Kenny Brown's men is the resurgence of attacking midfielders Mike Flynn and Jon French. If these two players are running at defences and making openings then Barry will be unstoppable.

Kenny has more options with a fit squad and players in competition for places. The championship is still wide open and Kenny will certainly not want to see more dropped points when Barry dominate possession.

The supporters club took advantage of the club's offer to show the away leg video of the match against FK Shamkir early in the season.

As you may recall, last July Barry won a marvellous home leg 2-0 against the champions of Azerbaijan. Incredibly that was six and a half months ago! Barry goalscorers were Andy York and Jon French.

Barry travelled to this former Russian state and had to hold on to their slender lead as long as possible. Even though the video was in black and white the pitch looked dreadful with deep ruts and bumps.

Shamkir are technically a very good side with many skilful players, but lacking a cutting edge. The Barry defence coped admirably and the then keeper Tim Clarke was largely untroubled.

Early in the second half Lee Phillips score the all important goal which effectively killed off the game, and Barry won 3-0 on aggregate.

Since those first games of the season Barry have lost Clarke, Luke Staton, Terry Evans, Neal Sharp and also Mark Evans, Adam Russell and Mattie Davies.

Barry have signed Dave Toomey, Tom Ramasut, Lee Jarman and Julian Edwards to replace them, currently with a squad of 17.

Whilst people have got behind Kevin Green and supported the club financially since his recent appeal, it would be good if the people of Barry could cheer the lads on to another championship by coming through the turnstiles, starting tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm.

Let's make sure that with the right support Barry Town will once again represent Wales in the Champions League. Kenny Brown now has the team on track and in the right spirit. See you there.

Young Barry keeper David Forde is the subject of a rumoured transfer to either West Ham or Portsmouth for a reported fee of £45,000.

The keeper came as a new recruit from Irish club Galway, but has developed into a very exciting player, whose biggest asset is the way he commands the box. He is also a great shot stopper and has huge potential.

Expect this likeable lad to one day play top flight soccer and even represent his country. With his potential the sum of £45,000 seems somehow derisory.

Barry will not want to be involved in a Dutch auction for the player, but his true value at just 21 must be much higher. Town need the money but surely must hang on for a realistic fee of at least three or four times that amount.