CWMBRAN may not get a better chance to lay their bogey against the champions-elect, who were fortunate indeed to record their successive ninth win over the Gwent club.
Manager Tony Willcox's side went into last night's game knowing the last time they held Barry was in the 0-0 home draw in May, 1995.(sic, 1996)
But although Barry had much the greater possession, it was Cwmbran who created the better goalscoring chances in the League of Wales clash and they should have been far enough ahead for Mark Dempsey's 62nd minute winner not to have mattered.
Striker Mattie Davies missed two gilt-edged opportunities, Chris Summers struck the bar, right wing back Mark Evans' cross clipped a post, Barry's Northern Ireland B (sic, u-21) international keeper Dave Wells produced two top class saves and a mix-up in the home defence almost presented Summers with a gift goal.
One of Wells' saves came from Summers' strike partner Davies, who was presented with the sort of chance he usually takes in his sleep.
A Russell Wigley free-kick was headed on by central defender Neil O'Brien with Davies having time to control the ball and set himself up for a close range shot.
But Wells had read the situation perfectly, dashing out to smother Davies 88th minute effort.
And it was Davies who should have put his side ahead before the interval when he only had to head Summers' cross on target. Instead, the 23 year old put the ball high and wide, much to the relief of a shaky looking Barry rearguard.
Barry, thanks to Cwmbran's tactics of conceding the midfield at times, ran the show in terms of passing and off-the-ball running, but were comfortably held by a solid defence in which sweeper Ray John was outstanding.
Davies missed that vital header, Summers' shot hit the bar, Wells prevented Summers from putting Cwmbran ahead with a stunning close-range save, yet it was Barry who scored first when wing-back Terry Evans' cross was headed in at the near goal by Cwmbran born player-coach Richard Jones.
And there was further heartache after the interval, when a Summers header caught Wells off his line and appeared to be gently rolling into the net.
However, Wells managed to scramble back and catch the ball, although there were many who believed it had crossed the line.
Nevertheless, Cwmbran did manage to equalise when Summers his his 18th league goal, netting from the penalty spot after O'Brien had been held back.
But parity lasted only 12 minutes until a shot which was going nowhere rebounded into the path of Dempsey, whose shot was partly saved by Pat O'Hagan.
Cwmbran enjoyed the better of the closing stages, but found Tredegar based Barry skipper Andrew York in commanding form at the heart of the Barry defence.
Barry Town: D Wells, T Evans, D Davies, R Jones, A York, L Barrow, G Barnett (G Shone 82), D Carter (J Perry 82), P Mitchell, E Williams (C Pridham 88), M Dempsey. Goals: Jones (27), Dempsey (62).
Cwmbran Town: P O'Hagan, M Evans (C Pike 71), B Graham, R John, J Blackie (M Pattimore 83), N O'Brien, C Summers, A Moore, M Davies, P Johnson, R Wigley. Booked: Wigley, Goal: Summers (pen, 50).
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This article first published in the South Wales Argus, 25.03.1999.
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