The champions were in uncompromising mood and their attitude was superb. Totally professional in every department, it would have taken some team to have held Barry on this form. The speed of their touches and movement off the ball left the Deesiders flat-footed.
The crowd of almost 600 were stunned as a much closer game was anticipated, especially after last season's Welsh Cup win over Barry.
It wasn't to be, however, and Barry served up a second half peformance which was pure exhibition with Danny Carter and Mark Dempsey superb.
All the goals came in the first half, two to Eifion Williams and a third goal of the season to Richard Jones.
Barry's third goalkeeper, Tynan Scope, was replaced for this match by the fourth goalkeeper in seven games, David Wells. Surely a club record?
Wells was with AFC Bournemouth last year and is the current Northern Ireland under-21 international.
Scope has returned to Coventry, joining Pat Mountain and David Nurse as ex-Barry goalkeepers.
The supporters bus arrived, due to motorway crashes, just as the match kicked off and people were clamouring for places in the packed stand.
The Deesiders, anxious to impress, tried to take control of the game with their physical presence, but it was Barry who were calling the shots, Carter going close on three occasions. The ex-Leyton Orient player was showing all his skill as he drifted past players and was linking up well with Dempsey.
Barry were exerting continual pressure and the slick passing was frustrating the Quay defenders.
It was in the 25th minute when Gary Barnett set up Dempsey down the left-wing and his excellent cross was met by Williams who headed home at the far post. It was a bonus for the champions to have the striker back after injury and he looked sharp too.
With very little pressure on the Barry goal, a defensive mix-up between Wells and Gary Lloyd caused a scare, but the latter cleared the danger.
Dempsey, Barry's Irish under-21 international, was causing havoc every time he got the ball and he was instrumental in creating the second goal, setting up Lee Barrow's header which the goalkeeper could only parry and Williams collected his second goal as he fired home from close range.
It was 2-0 after just 28 minutes and the Deesiders were mortified as Barry played the ball around with nonchalant ease, even when the rain came down in torrents.
It was 3-0 a few minutes before half-time when Jones slotted home Terry Evans cross after a superb six-man build-up move. Jones almost got a fourth when a fierce drive and the players were cheered off at the break for a brilliant first-half performance.
The second half was purely academic as the game was won and Barry strolled around at a canter playing the ball around the park with ease.
One chance went to Connah's Quay as midfielder Edge fired across the goal which eluded everyone and Jones and Williams went close for Barry as the North Walians packed the defence in a damage limitation exercise.
It is hoped that Barry will reflect their brilliant away form into another stunning performance and record their first home win at Jenner Park on Saturday, against Caernarfon Town, k.o. 2:30p.m.
Links to other sites on the Web
Barry Town homepage
What the Papers Say index
League of Wales results 1998-99
This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1998.
This report first published in the Barry and District News, 17.09.1998.
Match report of Connah's Quay Nomads v Barry Town, League of Wales, 12.09.1998.
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