ON a pitch where the word wet is an inadequate description, the mighty Dragons broke down a hard working Porthmadog defence, with the help of Eifion Williams' 16th league goal of the season, scored right on half-time, to record their tenth league win of the season and stretch their lead at the top of the table to five points.
Only the wacky 5-5 goalfest against Newtown blots an otherwise perfect season for Gary Barnett and his team.
Second half goals from the mercurial Darren Ryan and the dogged Terry Evans sealed the three points for the Town, condemning Porthmadog to sharing bottom place with Welshpool.
Barry are a classic example of what makes a good team. No individual is bigger than the whole, but the quality and hard work of the whole allows individuals to prosper, and none more so than Eifion Williams, who, even during a hesitant first few games still managed to get on the scoresheet, but in recent weeks, as an integral part of the team, has been in devastating form and who is to say that, even with the points system devised to select the Golden Boot award, Eifion will be in with a shout at the end of the season - pushed all the way by Chris Pike!
The Town continue to build on the extraordinary successes of last season. Their performances over the two legs against Dynamo Kiev can now be portrayed in a far more complimentary light than was portrayed in some sections of the South Wales press following Newcastle's very fortunate 2-2 draw in Kiev. And how it must hurt those same pundits to have to witness Town's brilliant defeat of Swansea.
Outside of the local press the achievements of the club have recieved scant recognition and generally recieve fewer column inches than the minor English league teams based in Wales.
But such apathy to what is going on at Jenner Park is not just confined to the disdainful South Wales press, but also to the people of Barry.
On Saturday, 285 people turned up to support the Town, while Aberystwyth, Bangor and Carmarthen pulled in 30 per cent more support.
Those loyal supporters who turn up week in week out are enthusiastic and colourful, especially at away games, where they are always a strong drum beating presence.
Moments of sporting glory in Wales are rarer than diamonds, ask any Cardiff City supporter. What is happening at Jenner Park deserves greater support from the Vale public, with Barry playing superb, entertaining football, with the skills of Darren Ryan able to brighten up the darkest of Winter afternoons.
Cynics may argue that Barry have it easy, that there is no real challenge, but htis ignores how hard the club has worked, on and off the field, to become the most feared team in Welsh football.
Away from home, Barry are the biggest thing in the league, attracting over 900 people to Carmarthen on a Wednesday night and over 1000 to Bangor - the kind of crowds which should be gracing Jenner Park week in week out.
If you are a lover of mediocrity - stay away. If you revel in skill, live football as the beautiful game, come to Jenner Park, and bang the drum for the Town.
There is no game this weekend due to the second round of the Welsh Cup. Barry enter the fray in the third round.
They then play three consecutive away games against Fflint, Newtown and Caernarfon. The next game at Jenner Park will be on Saturday, November 8, when Connah's Quay Nomads are the visitors.
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This page maintained by the Yellow Dragon, 1998.
This report first published in the Barry Gem, 16.10.1997.
League of Wales match report, Barry Town - Porthmadog, 11.10.1997
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