HAVING come from behind twice, three goals from Eifion Williams, all in the second half, won the game for Barry in a top versus bottom clash.
With the Wellmen fighting for League of Wales survival, it was no surprise that a tough match was the order of the day.
Vernon Keep, Holywell's player/manager is a renowned tough guy and his physical approach to the game was apparent through the whole team.
Richard Jones and Williams received rough treatment with their backs to goal and all the players felt the rough end of Holywell's abrasive approach.
Referee Ray Ellingham from Cardiff had a far too lenient approach to the game, allowing the Wellmen to get away with too much over physical contact.
Williams was man of the match, despite the close attention of his markers he kept his cool and justifiably got his reward with three well-taken goals, breaking the goal drought he has suffered over the last few weeks.
A worry for Barry was an incident in the last five minutes when Gary Lloyd collided with a post and was stretchered off. The Wales B international could possibly be out for the rest of the season.
Barry started the game with their usual patient build-up play, but with a nine-man defence in front of them, chances were few, Mark Dempsey trying a couple of shots but to no avail.
Holywell's best player was lone front runner Steve Jones and it was he who opened the scoring nodding home a free-kick on 20 minutes.
Danny Carter beat two players to set up Paul Mitchell but his searing drive from the edge of the box was always rising and just went over.
In the closing stages of the first half, Williams completely missed a close-range attempt as the ball bobbled on the hard pitch, with an open goal at his mercy.
With the score at 1-0 to the home side at half-time, Gary Barnett gambled by taking off Gareth Shone and introduving Justin Perry to help the front runners put more pressure on the packed defence. With Mitchell dropping back alongside Lee Barrow, Carter slipped into midfield and the move was proved justified.
After Perry had tried a header from Barnett's cross, it didn't take long for Williams to get the equaliser. Lloyd crossed superbly, Williams headed home and Barry breathed a little more easily.
The referee was still not giving Barry any protection as elbows, pushes and over the top tackles reigned on the players, Mitchell going down in a crumpled heap from one challenge.
The Wellmen took the lead again in the 57th minute. Keep with a free-kick on the right fired home directly from the kick, goalkeeper Wells could only parry the ball into the net. With everyone expecting a cross, Keep hit his powerful shot low into the corner and Barry were once again behind.
After Barnett crossed to Jones whose header glanced harmlessly across the goal, Dempsey provided the cross which gave Williams a second headed goal to level again.
Another couple of chances came to Williams and his pace took him on to fire past the goalkeeper for his hat-trick.
Barry were in the lead for the first time and Jones for the away side fired a free-kick goalward which the goalkeeper did well to tip over.
Barry saw out the remaining 10 minutes or so with 10 men, with all substitutions having been used and this latest win means that they have now beaten all six North Wales sides on their own territory.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry & District News, 31.03.1999
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