THERE was plenty to talk about at Jenner Park on Saturday, the club being put up for sale and Eifion Williams' amazing hat-trick on his debut for Torquay.
The two events overshadowed the fact that Barry were on the verge of a fourth championship, in itself a more than creditable event.
It's so easy to take everything for granted, the fact that Barry have been so amazingly successful side over a number of years and have gone on to headier heights under Gary Barnett and Richard Jones.
It's a sad fact that the public of Barry have not appreciated what a great side they have. Numbers coming through the turnstiles have been hugely disappointing and it's to the players great credit that they play such great soccer without the roar of a good crowd to give them the buzz that they richly deserve.
Paula O'Halloran has put a lot of money into Barry Town and worked tremendously hard to carry on the dream of her late husband, Neil, to see Barry compete with the best sides in Europe.
Cwmbran manager, Tony Wilcox, paid a huge tribute to Barry, and said: "Barry's movement off the ball is exceptional and is hard to master. They have quality players right through the team. The way they play their football is superb. They have many options available to them and that doesn't come overnight, it's hard work."
Nobody knows the outcome, but one thing is sure, Barry have a fearsome reputation, a wonderful football ground and the players will stay professional, competing for every trophy, the league and cup and Premier Cup.
It is hoped that a buyer or backer will come in and maintain a professional soccer in the town, but do the majority of Barry people really care if they have a soccer team or not? One wonders.
As for the Rhyl match, well they are a poor outfit and no wonder, they are at the bottom. Mainly due to goalkeeper Paul Smith they kept the score down to 2-0.
With Jones injured Justin Perry and Jody Jenkins played up front, the latter particularly lively as he sought his first goal for the club, his chances being limited while Williams was wearing No.10.
Jenkins had a couple of attempts snuffed out by Smith who also saved two great shots from Barnett.
After Terry Evans had an overhead kick cleared off the line, it was Mark Dempsey who was in superb form who broke the deadlock. Dempsey side-stepped his marker and glided a 20-yarder into the corner on 34 minutes for 1-0.
Lee Barrow lost the ball to Gibson who curled a smart shot which Jon Roberts in the Barry goal did well to save. Roberts has been signed as cover for Dave Wells who was injured for this game and Roberts gave a sterling performance.
The second half saw Dempsey and Carter majestic in midfield, their understanding and football was of the highest quality and they ran Rhyl ragged.
Barnett was prominent too, having plenty of the ball and he too was heavily involved in Barry's build-up play.
With everyoen urging Jenkins to score, the young front-runner chased a back pass which forced Smith into a hasty clearance. Perry latched onto the ball carefully striking a 30-yarder out of Smith's reach, an excellent strike.
Rhyl were tiring, but hanging on as Dempsey superbly weaved in and out of the visitor's defence, firing one shot just wide of the post but the score remained 2-0 to the champions.
With Inter Cable-tel winning, Barry still could not claim their fourth championship, still needing one point to make certain.
Links to other sites on the Web
Barry Town homepage
What the Papers Say index
This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry & District News, 01.04.1999
Get your own Free Home Page