A FIRST half penalty from Gary Lloyd, following second half strikes from Terry Evans and Craig Hughes was enough to ease Barry Town into the fourth round of the Welsh Cup, where they will play Knighton Town on Saturday, February 14.
Lex came at the Dragons straight from the kick-off and should have gone ahead in the first minute when Jamie McNeill, son of Wrexham legend, Dixie, found himself free in front of goal with just Ovendale to beat. He hestitated slightly, just enough for Ovendale to advance that extra yard, and as McNeill's shot went through the keeper's legs the ball clipped his heel, which was enough to take the pace off the ball and the danger was cleared.
Barry were rarely threatened after that, with Lex concentrating on making life difficult for the Town by dropping back deep into their own half en masse every time Barry were in possession, squeezing play into a 30 yard deep corridor in front of the Lex goal.
Sound tactics made all the more pertinent by Barry's poor passing and an alarming failure to take the right option whenv players finally found space.
As a result, pressure was applied but few chances created. A good run from deep by Darren Ryan set up Craig Evans who hoofed te ball over the bar, then a telling ball from Andrew York, advancing out of defence, picked out Terry Evans, who did well to control the pass and set up Eifion Williams for a volley high into the side netting.
As Barry turned the screw, there was an appeal for handball which was dismissed by the referee, Mr.Brian Lawlor, and a corner was awarded to Barry. From the corner, as Lex tried to clear, Beaumont handled. This time the ref was on the spot and the penalty given. Gary Lloyd slotted home with the young Lex keeper, Gary Griffith, almost pulling off a fine save.
The Lex programme described Griffiths as "short for a keeper, but a good shot stopper", and so it proved in the second half as he saved twice from point-blank range, denying Craig Evans and Eifion Williams.
But his lack of height was exposed when Darren Ryan whipped in a far post cross which dropped over the keeper and nicely onto the head of Terry Evans to make it 2-0 to the Town.
Three substitutions in quick succession, with Pike, Knott ands Craig Hughes replacing Barnett, Darren Ryan and Eifion Williams, injected more pace into the game and all three combined to set up Hughes after Pike had hit the post.
With the chances that went begging it could have been a much higher score than the eventual 3-0, but Lex worked hard to prevent complete humiliation, so the scoreline ensured that everyone went away happy.
This Saturday, Barry make a rare appearance at Jenner Park when they entertain last Tuesday night's FAW Invitation Cup opponents, Conwy United.
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This report first published in the Barry Gem, 27.11.1997.
Welsh Cup Third Round match report, Lex XI - Barry Town, 22.11.1997
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