CADOXTON IMPS 4

BARRY FC 5

THIS Vale of Glamorgan Senior Football League game was every bit as entertaining as the score-line implies.

With Imps taking a first minute lead Barry knew they"d be up against it, but at least on a positive note Barry therefore had a further 89 minutes to rectify the score-line.

Barry responded well to this early set-back, and although clear cut chances were few and far between, both Haydn Stait and Kevin Owens caused problems for the Cadoxton defence soon after.

Indeed, it was Kevin Owens who got the deserved equaliser on the half-hour after latching on to a tremendous through ball and finding himself one-on-one with Steve Marshall in the Cadoxton goal, and the ball was duly slotted home.

Having done their best to get back into the game, it was undone when Imps endeavoured to take a 2-1 lead very late on in the half.

A floated cross plopped into the arms of Damien Lack in the Barry goal, and although there was more than a whiff of free-kick about how the ball was spilled, Imps went 2-1 up when the ball ended up in the back of the Barry net unimpeded.

The second half started off well for Barry and the Linnets managed to not only draw level, but actually stretch out a 4-2 lead. It was a terrific few minutes of football.

Set pieces have not been Barry"s strong point so far this season, but with James Dawson"s free-kick forcing the Imps keeper into a save, Chris Powell was alert enough to pick up the pieces and get the green and whites back into the game.

Within minutes though Barry"s Adam Harvey struck a beautiful shot from 30 yards out to leave Marshall in the Cadoxton goal rooted to the spot. It was a terrific goal, and Barry were now playing delightful football and leading the Imps 3-2.

Soon after, a good shout for a penalty was ignored, but just minutes after that Ben Taylor was upended again and a penalty was duly awarded.

With the penalty put away and Barry now leading 4-2, the Linnets fans were beginning to believe that 3 points would be coming their way, particularly when Kevin Owens was again one on one with the keeper, but this time was thwarted.

At 5-2 surely then it would be game over? As it was, Imps clawed their way back to 4-3, but Taylor soon responded to get Barry"s fifth goal. There was still enough time for the nerves to jangle when Cadoxton reduced the scoreline to 5-4, but luckily for the Linnets, there wasn"t enough time on the clock for a cruel equaliser.

Away from Jenner Park at least, Barry FC are tough to beat. Indeed, away from home, the Linnets are unbeaten, having drawn twice and won twice. Of the 14 goals scored this season so far, 12 have come on the road.

As Barry take part in the Barry Cup this weekend at home to Penarth Saints, it"s hoped the curse of Jenner Park will be put to rest!