BARRY progressed through to the final against either Bangor or Caernarfon in a semi-final not without controversy or incident.
Once again, the referee upset both camps with some inconsistent decisions - sending off the Inter goalkeeper for handling ouotside the box, a decision hotly disputed by the Inter fans.
A free-kick that led to the Inter goal was also doubtful.
Barry centre-back, Lee Barrow, merely headed away a forward ball with an Inter player running in to him and the referee gave the free-kick to Inter!
Ex-professionals John Lewis, now manager of Rhayader, and David Giles, were both bemused by some of the handling of the game and far too often, it seems, poor refereeing can affect important games.
Goals by Richard Jones, Justin Perry and Terry Evans eventually won the game for Barry, who struggled to make an impact against ten men and lacked penetration in the last quarter, playing far too many crossfield balls.
Inter's scorer, Steve Mardenborough, was booked in the first minute for an over-the-top challenge on Darren Davies, and in the 20th minute Wager received his marching orders for his misdemeanour, which was identical to that of Mark Ovendale in last year's FAW Premier Cup against Merthyr.
Barry had dominated the play until then, but didn't really capitalise on having the extra man to any great effect. Shots by Gary Barnett and Paul Mitchell tested Paul Evans who took over in goal, the ex-Barry player superbly tipping over Mitchell's fiercely hit drive. It wasn't until the 40th minute that Jones broke the deadlock, firing home off a defender.
Just before half-time, Terry Evans sent in a great cross which Mark Dempsey volleyed goalward but sub-keeper Evans saved the shot superbly.
Just eight minutes into the second half, Mardenborough scored direct from the free-kick. Inter, to be fair, were full of fight and more than holding their own, Barry's passing game failing to finish where it hurts, though Jones had a shot cleared off the line.
Barry, amazingly, seemed to be over their injury crisis, thanks to Terry Moore, Gary Lloyd, Andrew Yorke and Chris Sloan.
However, it was a worrying moment when Danny Carter was stretchered off with a head injury, also needing to go to hospital with a badly cut eye which needed stitches.
The game was becoming scrappy when Barnett fired a shot in after two other shots were beaten out and this time Evans couldn't hold it and Perry scored an easy goal to make it 2-1 in the 75th minute.
It wasn't until injury time that Terry Evans fired home the third goal after some good Barry football.
So Barry added to their league win with another victory and with the FAW Premier Cup matches again linking the two sides, the next two Tuesdays should not be missed. If Barry can overcome Inter over the two legs then Barry will meet either Cardiff or Wrexham in the final.
So, Tuesday again at Jenner Park in the first leg. Kick-off, it should be noted is at 7pm. Barry have no game this Saturday and Jenner Park sees the Welsh Cup semi-final Inter Cable-Tel and Cwmbran in what should be a closely fought contest.
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, 15.04.1999
Get your own Free Home Page