And Newtown, undefeated in the previous six league games rose to the challenge despite playing their second big game in five days.
Newtown's 1-0 defeat by Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup mid-week pointed to their defensive strength and it was no surprise that defences soon took a firm grip.
Newtown's Nicky Ward and Justin Wickham combined with Jason Yates to exert early pressure on Barry and the league leaders survived a hectic string of corners after 10 minutes.
Scott Ruscoe floated the first ball into the box and Yates got his head to it but Dave Wells parried the header away for a second corner.
Ward met the ball just outside the goal area and struck it hard, and Wells again had to concede the corner. Wells eventually gained possession of the third corner kick.
Barry seemed to be making headway when Eifion Williams was brought down by Chris Taylor but the chance went begging as Barry player-coach Gary Barnett hit the post with a free-kick.
Barnett and Richard Jones linked up to produce a surprise attack that left Williams with another chance, but he could only lift the ball into the hands of Andy Withington.
The Newtown keeper was under pressure early in the second half when he was fully extended saving a difficult curling shot by Richard Jones.
And Terry Evans put Jones into a scoring position again, but Withington held his header.
At the other end, Wickham controlled a ball from Ruscoe and shot low but Wells got down to it.
In the end, the result was dictated by the two rearguards.
Both back fours were almost always in command and while Barry's Eifion Williams looked as dangerous as ever, Newtown were well served by Steve Ecclestone, apparently untroubled by a strapped up ankle after his midweek injury.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Wales on Sunday, 28.02.1999
Match report of Newtown v Barry Town, League of Wales, 27.02.1999
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