SATURDAY'S scoreline suggests a close game, but it was anything but, as Barry totally dominated and could have scored six or seven had the woodwork not intervened and more chances been taken.
If there was a missing link it must have been urgency, as Barry tried to stroll through the game against a poor Flint side.
Eifion Williams had a miserable afternoon, being substituted after 80 minuts but left everyone wondering how he had stayed on for so long.
However, last year the corresponding fixture was 8-0 to the champions, so Flint felt much better about the more respectable score.
Barry immediately seized the initiative, and after just three minutes, a good move down the left saw Darren Ryan drift into the box and feed Craig Evans, who volleyed home.
A minute late, Lee Barrow, with a solo run from his own half, hit a low shot from the edge of the box, which went juts wide.
Barry were just knocking the ball about at leisure and Flint could do nothing about it. A Ryan free-kick picked out Evans, but his weak header was easily saved. Moments later, a Gary Lloyd free-kick was sent to the far post where Barrow headed goalwards, but the keeper tipped over.
Ryan was on his usual brilliant form, and was opening up enormous gaps in the home defence, but when he took a knock and went for attention, Danny Carter got on the scoresheet for his first Barry goal. After 23 minutes it as 2-0 to Barry.
This seemed to spur Flint on and Mark Ovendale was called upon to make two saves as the home team tried to get back into it.
A corner on 30 minutes saw them get a goal as Pierce, unmarked, headed home. Back came Barry; Gary Barnett's shot was charged down and the unhappy Williams hit over from the rebound.
The home defenced was abysmal, but Barry could not take advantage and with half time approaching, Flint - who were always looking for the counter-attack - almost caught the visitors' defence napping, but the danger was cleared.
In the second half, Ryan and Carter began to mesmerise Flint with their clever ballwork and the latter hit the post.
Barry were taking Flint apart, but a third goal would not come, Barrow having a shot cleared off the line. Terry Evans brought a good save from the goalkeeper and Ryan hit the post after clever work in the box.
Gareth Knott came on for Carter, who had a tight hamstring, but his early shot was just wide and with Chris Pike on for Williams, Barry could have sealed the gmae but for two headed chances which were wide of the mark.
Not the best performance by the Dragons but the points were well deserved.
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This report first published in the Barry & District News, 30.10.1997.
League of Wales match report, Flint Town United - Barry Town, 25.10.1997
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