IT WAS billed as the match of the day in the League of Wales as two of the best teams met at Latham Park.
The reality was that the teams cancelled each other out on a soft, rutted surface which made football difficult.
Gary Barnett hit the post from a free-kick, but chances were few and Eifion Williams continued his goal drought with the striker failing to score during February. Indeed, Barry scored only two goals in the month, both against TNS.
Barnett is not panicking, however, he sees the game as a point gained, not two points lost.
On Williams he said: "The lad has had to bear the brunt of the attack all season and he is being tightly marked. He'll come through alright."
Barry began without left-sided players, Gary Lloyd and Mark Dempsey and with Justin Perry suspended, Richard Jones did a valiant job up fron with his non-stop running putting pressure on the home defence.
Referee Steve Jones of Swansea booked four Barry players, but none for Newtown, incredible when Jones in the late stages and Williams in the first half were both manhandled while making runs on goal right in front of the referee, who let play go on without a sign of a yellow card.
There are a few good referees in the League of Wales and he is not one of them, with another inconsistent performance.
Both teams contested the game early on, the Robins having run Wrexham close in the FAW Premier Cup, were keen to show their skills in front of the television cameras. An early attack by them brought a super save from David Wells from a fierce header from Ward.
When Barry attacked, Williams had a great crossfield run seeking an opening, when he was brought down. From the free-kick, Barnett hit the post and Newtown had a let-off.
It was Barnett again with a great diagonal ball picking out Jones on the right and his first time centre caught Williams by surprise, the ball hitting his foot and was gratefully picked up by the goalkeeper.
Danny Carter was trying all his tricks but finding life difficult on the rutted surface, with the Robins tackling like terriers. Still, Barry had most of the attacking options and just edged the first half.
Williams was the first player booked just on half-time.
Barry were soon on the attack again and Jones curled a shot on target which the home goalkeeper did well to save.
It was Wells at the other end saving an angled shot from Wickham and thereby goalmouth action basically ceased.
The referee booked Paul Mitchell, Jones and Chris Pridham, who replaced Barnett in midfield.
Williams looked despondent when replaced by Jody Jenkins, but it was not a strikers day as the teams levelled in this scoreless draw.
Tuesday night's game against Inter Cabletel in the Gilbert Cup was postponed due to the heavy rain.
Barry were probably a little relieved as Gary Lloyd and Mark Dempsey had still not recovered from injury. Also Danny Carter and Eifion Williams were unable to train on Monday, both players carrying niggles.
This Saturday, Bangor visit Barry in the league with the Town needing to win six out of their last ten matches to be certain of a fourth championship.
On Tuesday, Barry are away to Afan Lido, kick off 7:30p.m. Barry will be anxious to get revenge for their heaviest defeat of the season last September, when Afan Lido beat them 2-0.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry & District News, 04.03.1999
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