DESPITE being weakened by suspensions and sickness, TNS were unlucky to lose out in this thrilling South Wales encounter.
The visitors deserved better fortune when they struck the woodwork twice and dominated the first half proceedings.
Marc Coates has left the club for pastures new after just two appearances and also missing from the line-up were suspended front runners Ken McKenna and Damien Currier. Danny Barton was only fit enough to sit on the bench but the selection dilemma was compounded when Arwel Jones reported ill with flu on the morning of the game.
But from then on TNS took the game to the home side and were unlucky in the 10th minute when Ricky Evans took a 30-yard free kick on the right and surprised the keeper with a shot which crashed against the underside of the crossbar and bounced down for a defender to clear.
They continued to press and again struck the bar when a John Whelan long throw was flicked on by Mick Gallagher for Gareth Wilson to try an overhead kick which struck the bar from six yards out and was hacked to safety.
Against the run of play Barry took the lead on 36 minutes when TNS lost the ball in midfield, broke up the left and a fairly harmless cross was allowed to reach Lee Barrow who put in a perfect header to give keeper Andy Mulliner little chance from five yards. It was their first shot on target.
Just before the interval the Saints could have been on level terms but for a tremendous flying one-handed save by keeper Dave Wells who clawed away a fiercely struck volley from Ricky Evans.
At the interval the Saints were left wondering what they had to do to score and it became apparent early in the second half that the home side been given a roasting and raised their game a notch.
It was Barry that were enjoying most of the possession at this stage but TNS were preventing them getting a clear sight of Mulliner's goal.
And it was again the visitors who were creating the best chances. In the 53rd minute John Whelan was unlucky when met a long cross from Gary Powell on the left and tried to lob the keeper with his header but put it marginally over the bar.
In his efforts to get to a harmless cross before dangerman Eifion Williams, TNS defender Mick Gallagher lashed the ball into his own net to give the score a flattering look.
Barry were then content to sit on their 2-0 lead and prevent TNS getting back into the game.
The game was watched by top UEFA and FIFA officials who were in Britain to adjudicate on the Arsenal v Sheffield United dilemma.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999
This article first published in the Border Counties Advertiser, 24.02.1999
Match report, Barry Town v Total Network Solutions, League of Wales, 20.02.1999
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