COMING on the back of a heavy 5-1 defeat by Cwmbran, one would have thought that Connah's Quay would have been easy prey for the champions.
This was not the case, though, as the North Walians - a big and powerful team - played with the determination of a side seeking to dislodge Barry from the top of the table.
It has been said that there are no easy games, and this is the third home tie that Barry have won by only the single goal.
A sterling performance by the Nomad's goalkeeper, Phil Collister, kept the scoreline down to a respectable one, but their attacking formation of three-five-four also made sure that Barry could not build from the back as they like, and goalkeeper, Mark Ovendale, took more long kicks than he has done for a long time.
Barry's skill at playing one-twos at speed, and the added dimension of Evans and Phil Johnson the wing-backs getting down the flanks, gave them the edge.
Danny Carter, back from injury, and Darren Ryan used their skill to make inroads through the visitors defence in the middle of the park.
Barry could have taken an early lead when a Terry Evans cross found Eifion Williams, who blasted over.
ATTACKING POSITIONS
Johnson, who was able to get in good attacking positions, fired in two powerful shots which Collister, by spreading his body did well to save.
Quay were prepared to get players forward at every opportunity and made a good game of it with the TV cameras present.
However, it was Barry who were in control, and Collister was again performing heroics for the visitors.
But the determined Johnson was not to be denied and his fierce shot cannoned off a defender and over the defender and over the goalkeeper's head to make it 1-0.
Williams almost made it 2-0 but Collister smothered his shot. Carl Smyth nearly equalised, his header going just wide amd Paul Jones, on a determined run, fired a great shot which Ovendale used all of his agility to tip over.
With Barry back on the attack, Ryan, with superb anticipation, intercepted a back pass. But going out wide to avert the goalkeeper, his angled shot flashed across the face of the goal.
Ryan was almost on target again with a 25 yard drive, but Collister once more equal to the shot, beat it down.
He was at fault, however, a few minutes later, when he missed the ball. Williams hit his shot from the edge of the box but it was stopped on the line by a defender.
By half-time, it was 2-0, after a great Carter cross found Ryan, who volleyed home an unstoppable shot.
Collister, working overtime, beat down a 25 yard screamer by Gary Lloyd, but it was Chris Davies for the visitors who on a solo run, beat a couple of men and fired home to make it 2-1.
GREAT VOLLEY
Collister was in action once again as Johnson tried for his second goal with a great half-volley, but again was denied by a great save.
Barry launched wave after wave of attacks and Williams hooked a good chance wide and headed over when he should have done better from an Evans cross.
With no further goals, Barry maintained their eight point lead at the top of the table and face a tough trip to Rhyl on Saturday. Rhyl have been front runners all season, but will be eager to do well against Barry, after two successive defeats by Inter Cabletel and Cwmbran, who are both competing for honours in second and third positions in the league.
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This report originally printed in the Barry and District News, 13.11.1997.
League of Wales match report; Barry Town - Connah's Quay Nomads, 08.11.1997.
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