A thouroughly entertaining game on Tuesday night between the first and third teams in the League of Wales brought Barry three points closer to a fourth successive championship.
Goals by Richard Jones and Mark Dempsey earned their win, with Chris Summers' penalty the visitors only reply.
This was a great display by Barry, particularly in the first half when the Crows were devoid of any self-belief and Barry showed that they were the masters with neat one touch soccer and played at a lovely pace.
Terry Evans was particularly speedy down the right flank with Danny Carter and Dempsey having little too much know-how for the Crows defence. Both goalkeepers were in good form and both made important saves.
Though Barry were dominant in attack and with Andrew York making a welcome return after injury and Lee Barrow finding it difficult to deal with the deep crosses zooming off a fast surface at Jenner Park.
Barry were really up for this game and played neat accurate soccer which seemed to shake the confidence of the visitors.
Evans set up Darren Davies whos curling shot was well saved by O'Hagan. When Cwmbran attacked they earned a corner taken by ex-Barry star Phil Johnson, whose kick was hit long, reaching centre-back Neil O'Brien whose downward header was saved by David Wells.
Barry's excellent movement was delighting the home crowd, with the players obviously enjoying their freedom on the ball, with Cwmbran playing far too deep.
A great run by Dempsey out of defence where he fed the ball to Gary Barnett whose dipping shot just cleared the bar.
Barry escaped when Summers hit the crossbar and followed it up with an on target shot which brought a great save from Wells. It was Summers this time the provider, crossing from the left to Mattie Davies who with a free header cleared the crossbar when he should have scored easily.
Barry took the lead on 30 minutes when Carter passed to Evans whose accurate cross was headed home by Jones.
Although Barry dominated the first-half, when Cwmran countered a mis-directed back header by Barrow went past Wells, but thanks to the agility of Wells, he was able to get back and rescue the ball before it crossed the line.
In the second half, after 10 minutes Wells tugged at O'Brien's shirt and Summers converted the penalty kick to make it 2-1.
Eifion Williams having a fairly quiet game, succeeded in breaking free, chipping the goalkeeper but the ball went just wide of the post. With the game going end to end Wells was able to save from Davies after good work by Johnson, the goalkeeper positioning himself well.
It was Barry's turn to attack when Dempsey set up Jones, he in turn crossing a low angled ball, which just eluded Williams on the far post.
On 62 minutes, Jones this time gave Dempsey his chance to bury the ball and help it into the net. The Crows goalkeeper did well though to hang on to a Carter curler a little while later.
Dempsey found O'Hagan in good form again, as was Wells again in the Barry goal as he brilliantly saved Davies' close-range shot.
Barry were tighter at the back, with Gareth Shone slotting in central defence, replacing Barnett as the Crows searched for an equaliser but the night belonged to Barry.
On Saturday, it's Rhyl at Jenner Park (kick-off 2:30p.m) and if Barry win, they must be virtually certain of sealing the championship.
Barry will have a nine-day break before the heavy April schedule, having to meet Inter Cabletel four times in league and cup matches, starting on April 6 at Leckwith Stadium.
Inter can get a maximum 69 points in the league, while Barry are currently on 65 points with five matches left.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This articles first published in the Barry & District News, 25.03.99
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