Having already defeated Conwy United at their Morfa home once this season, Barry went through the experience again to book their place in the last sixteen of the Welsh Cup.
In a game matching the League of Wales' first and second clubs, grit and determination were the orders of the day; occasional flashes of inspiration lightening a game full of fire and brimstone which, like many cup matches, could have gone either way.
Barry Town went off like a train, going close in the first minute through Paul Hunter. The third minute saw a horrendous late tackle on David O'Gorman, playing on the right of midfield, which saw him need treatment before being replaced at half-time.
Then, as in the recent league match, Conwy moved into the ascendant, Timmy Steele, who played for Flint when they defeated Barry 5-1 in September, went narrowly wide after eight minutes, while minutes later James McIlvogue put Ian Doran's cross over the bar.
Barry's few chances in this first-half came from long balls through to Hunter or through O'Gorman's trickery on the right, which several times sent him past his marker.
Midway through the half Conwy defender Chris Taylor was yellow carded for a late tackle on Dai Withers.
The best chance of the half fell in the thirty-ninth minute when, in a full penalty box, McIlvogue found room to shoot at Barry 'keeper Mark Ovendale, who refused to panic, getting down well to save.
As the first half approached completion a number of chances fell to Conwy, but left winger Neil Clarke failed to put away any of the three openings that were created for him.
Barry's half-time substitution was to make all the difference. The injured O'Gorman left the field, player manager Paul Giles taking his place. It wasn't long before Gilo made an impact on the game, in the fifty-first minute he went on a run, beating four players before clipping the bar with his well struck shot. Barry had now taken control of a fight which in the first half they had lost on points. Gilo's arrival certainly turned the game around, but it was the events of the fifty-third minute that changed the complexion of the game. A huge kick from Ovendale left Conwy defender Chris Taylor flapping as he tried to run and watch the ball simultaneously. As he did so it fell neatly into his arms, before he dropped it like a hot potato. The result was a second booking for him, and Conwy were left to play the rest of the game with ten men. It took Barry a further ten minutes to capitalise on the numeric advantage. New substitute Cohen Griffiths lost the ball on the right, but it was recovered by Ross Knight whose quickfire cross was flicked on by Dai Withers and Paul Giles was able to outjump Timmy Steele at the near post to break the deadlock. At a last-minute corner Conwy pushed up, leaving themselves exposed at the back. The ball broke to Paul Giles, who after exchanging passes with Pike found himself homing in on goal. Giles then drew the 'keeper before squaring it to Chris Pike, who after a stumbling run put the ball into the open net. Barry were two goals ahead, and their passage to the fourth round of the Welsh Cup was sealed.
However, Phil Johnson scored the opening goal of the game, his fierce shot smashing against a defender, and looping over Phil Collister in the Nomads goal. Darren Ryan had several good opportunities to add to the Dragons' goal but Collister saved easily. He finally found the net before half-time though, with Danny Carter supplying the cross.
Barry's two goal cushion didn't last though, as Chris Davies went on a mazy run, beating several defenders before firing home past Ovendale in the Barry goal.
At 2-1, the Nomads had a number of chances to even up the score, but were unable to capitalise upon them. At the other end, Phil Johnson's half-volley was saved by Collister, while Eifion Williams headed wide after being set free by Craig Evans. However, neither side could add to the scoreline and Barry remained top of the LoW with an eight point gap between the Dragons and second place Cwmbran Town.
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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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