Knighton had high hopes of a major cup shock, dreaming that they could roll over the League of Wales champions. All the pre-match banter and fairytale endings were never to be, as Barry comprehensively defeated the Cymru Alliance leaders on Saturday.
Indeed, if Knighton stay top, they will start next season in the League of Wales and must now realise that the step-up is quitea considerable one.
If this was called a 'St.Valentine's Day Massacre' then it would be quite an apt description for the day and the end result. Mark Ovendale had probably his quietest game in three seasons of being with Barry Town, with only one shot to save and that with three minutes to go.
Barry played cat-and-mouse with the Mid-Walians, playing the ball around first half with the bereft Radnor Robins chasing shadows and tiring themselves out.
The half-time score was just 1-0, but Barry ran riot in the second half, adding another seven.
With four goals by ace striker, Eifion Williams, and another two by Craig Evans, Tolley, the home goalkeeper had a busy afternoon.
Strangely enough there were four occasions on which Barry were down to ten men, when a player was being treated for injury. Some were late tackles as Knighton players were frustrated in chasing the game, unable to match Barry's speed and workrate.
It was Darren Ryan and Danny Carter who threatened early on, both with chances on goal, but it took 15 minutes before Williams directed a header in off the far post, from a Terry Evans cross.
For all Barry's superior play, iot was just 1-0 at the break, but it was goals aplenty as within two minutes of the restart, a cross from Carter was misheaded by full-back Gregory and Williams, with a casual overhead kick, made it 2-0.
Gary Lloyd, after his two-week trial period with Reading, in a flowing move, beat the defenders, passed to Williams and despatched the return ball into the net for 3-0. It was Lloyd combining well with Ryan to give substitute Chris Pike a far post goal.
Ryan, however, blotted his copybook, being booked for expressing his annoyance with the referee, who allowed play to continue when Ryan was blatantly obstructed.
Craig Evans made it 5-0 after 73 minutes when a mix-up between goalkeeper Tolley and Galatrin allowed the midfielder a shot into the empty net. Six minutes later, Williams completed his hat-trick, heading home a super cross from Phil Johnson.
It was 7-0 on 85 minutes as Pike gave Williams the chance to get his fourth goal which he did with style. On 90 minutes, Craig Evans got his second goal to complete the misery for deflated Knighton.
Barry's reward is a home-tie against TNS whom they beat 10-0 at Jenner Park in the league fixture. The quarter-final is to be played on March 14.
Match report: Knighton Town v Barry Town. Welsh Cup Fourth round. 14.02.98
This report first printed in the 'Barry and District News, p.28. 19.02.98
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