CHRIS SLOAN, signed to replace prolific scorer Eifion Williams, hit a hat-trick at Jenner Park last night as up-for-sale Barry won the League of Wales championship for the fourth year running in some style.
Jon Jones, the Dragons other new boy, also put his name on the scoresheet.
Player-manager Gary Barnett borrowed 21-year old Sloan from Bristol City and signed Jones on loan from Chester hours before the kick-off - the League of Wales transfer deadline coming a week later than the Football League.
Barry needed to reinforce a squad stretched to the limit by injuries to five players and the �70,000 sale of Eifion Williams to Torquay United.
The 6ft 4in Sloan took over where Eifion Williams had left off, using his height to head a goal in each half and adding a third with a fierce drive for good measure.
The Dragons will roar into Europe for the fourth year running and this time we will be seeded for the Champions League thanks to a UEFA rule change.
Peter Rees, a member of the FAW council, presented the trophy on the pitch as the champagne corks popped and the Barry Town team did a jubilant jig.
Last night's impressive victory in the face of spirited Carmarthen resistance enabled them to retain the title with four games to spare (sic, three).
They cannot be caught by Inter CableTel who they will play in the league and two cup competitions on each of the four Tuesdays in April.
Carmarthen were clearly intent on spoiling the party. Their desire to do the double - they are the only side to have beaten Barry on their own ground - was evident by a fierce commitment which brought four first-half bookings, the first for defender David Barnhouse for a crude challenge on Darren Davies after two minutes.
The West Wales side's hopes of becoming only the second side after Afan Lido to win at Barry, were boosted by a sixth-minute goal, former West Bromwich Albion forward Tony Rees crossing for Richard Parker to steer the ball beyond Jon Roberts from close range.
Barry pinned Carmarthen in their own half for much of the first period, with Lee Barrow posing problems with his strong running on the right flank.
Sloan saw his shot deflected after playing a neat one-two with Danny Carter and Robert Fitzgerald saved well from a Davies header.
Ryan Nicholls almost increased Carmarthen's lead from a rare breakaway but Barry seized control with three goals in an 11 minute purple patch either side of half-time.
The giant Sloan netted the equaliser with a downward header from Carter's cross after 38 minutes and six minutes later Mark Dempsey cut inside to beat the keeper with a low drive from 20 yards.
The 19-year old Jones, who has played 20 League games for Chester, made it 3-1 after 49 minutes, the goal stemming from a slanting 50-yard pass by Barnett. Stephen Evans fell over trying to cut out Dempsey's cross and Jones pounced to hook home from an acute angle.
Nicholls reduced the deficit after 51 minutes, threading a cross shot through three defenders and past 'keeper Roberts.
Barry should have restored their two-goal lead in the 65th minute when Steve Williams, one of their former players, handled on the goal-line to deny Jones, a second goal. Williams was sent off for the offence but Dempsey hit the resultant penalty kick yards wide.
However the title celebrations began among the 300 or so spectators when Sloan headed his second goal from Barrow's cross 13 minutes from time.
They were in full swing when Sloan completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute and substitute Justin Perry hit Carmarthen for six on the stroke of time.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Western Mail, 31.03.1999.
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