21st MARCH, 1998 LEAGUE OF WALES
HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY (0) 0 BARRY TOWN (0) 1 Att: 350
Darren Ryan 76'
At the time of this match back in March, Barry were within touching distance of a third League of Wales Championship, while, following a run of defeats, Haverfordwest were trying to stave off a drop into the perilously close relegation zone.
Barry attacked constantly in the first fifteen minutes, earning four corners, with the home side content to soak up the pressure and hit Barry on the break.
Both Darren Ryan and Gary Lloyd were active on the wings, firing in crosses, with Ryan getting the occasional shot on target.
Eifion Williams had several opportunities to score. Danny Carter set him up for the first, but Williams's well hit shot was saved by Neil Frederickson in the Bluebirds's goal. A Darren Ryan cross led to a second opportunity for Williams, but he narrowly failed to connect with his head.
Barry's crossing was of a high quality, leading to several further chances, the best of which being Darren Ryan's glancing header which was held by Frederickson.
Despite Barry's territorial dominance, the sides went in level at half-time, with Haverfordwest still looking for an elusive goal on the break and to prevent Barry from scoring.
This last took many forms, not just packing the defence, but literally preventing Barry from playing, with Frederickson being booked for timewasting, even though the scores were level!
Nevertheless, Barry continued to puch forward, with both Paul Mitchell and Terry Evans going close.
Barry took to shooting from distance and became frustrated at their inability to break down the Haverfordwest defence, with Mitchell, Ryan and Danny Carter all being guilty of attempting to break the deadlock with long range shots.
Finally, though, following a strike from Lee Barrow, Barry scored the all-important goal. A well-struck shot from Richard Jones came back off the underside of the bar, and the chance appeared to have been lost. However, quick-thinking from Darren Ryan saw him follow-up the chance and netted past Frederickson.
Now a goal behind, the home side stepped up a gear in their attempts to earn a point, and Mark Ovendale was forced to earn his corn, as Haverfordwest began to attack forcefully.
However, despite Jamie Rickard going close in injury-time, the West Walians were unable to snatch a late goal, and so Barry took all three points, taking them 20 points clear of Cwmbran Town and needing just four points to clinch the League of Wales title.
the Yellow Dragon
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry Town matchday magazine, v Haverfordwest County, 10.11.98, Gilbert LoW Cup Rd.2
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