FOR the second year running, Connah's Quay dumped Barry out of the Welsh Cup. They seemed to have taken over from TNS Llansantffraid as bogey team.
Strangely, though, in the two league fixtures, Barry played the Nomads off the field on their own pitch to win 3-0, but struggled to win 1-0 at Jenner Park a few weeks ago, a sure warning sign!
Once could try to analyse what went wrong this time, especially when Barry failed to score in the previous game against Rhayader, but the analogy that it's goals that count , still rings true.
Eifion Williams was kept fairly quiet by a well-marshalled defence, despite his marvellous goal for Wales B in midweek. What was even more frustrating was the fact that the Nomads played most of the game with 10 men.
It's seemingly obvious, that when teams play against Barry, that they are putting game plan together, to counter Barry's attacking game.
The first nine minutes showed Barry at full strength demonstrating all of their skills, playing like the champions they are, but they were rocked when Raine scored, to finish a slick Quay move against the run of play.
Jamie Hughes was booked for a challenge on Gary Lloyd and Andrew York gave away a free-kick which almost made the score 2-0.
Futcher for the Nomads scored a superb free-kick last season to end Barry's cup hopes, this time he hit the crossbar.
Nomads goalkeeper Phil Collister had a busy game against Barry's front line, denying Williams on a couple of chances and throwing out a foot to deny Dempsey.
Hughes was booked for a foul on David Wells and was sent off for the second offence.
The second half saw Justin Perry on for Paul Mitchell and with the Nomads content to defend their lead, Barry laid seige on the Quay goal, forcing corner after corner but to no avail.
Barry tried long-range shots in desperation, but Perry had the best chance picking up a header across goal by York, but he headed over with the goal at his mercy.
So Barry are out of the Welsh Cup again and will look to consolidate their league position with a home game against TNS. There are no easy games in the League of Wales and this will be a stern test for Barry to get back to scoring goals. Kick-off is at 2:30p.m.
Bobby Gould and Graham Williams were full of praise for Gary Lloyd and Williams for their efforts for Wales B against Northern Ireland and congratulations go to the two players for their selection and the way they played.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry and District News, 18.02.1999.
Match report, Barry Town v Connah's Quay Nomads, Welsh Cup Fourth Round, 13.02.99
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