BARRY TOWN (2) 5 CAERSWS (0) 0 Mark Dempsey 6(p), Justin Perry 18, Eifion Williams 60', 75', 87'
Barry Town: Dave Wells, Terry Evans, Darren Davies, Chris Pridham, Gareth Shone, Lee Barrow, Gary Barnett, Jodie Jenkins, Justin Perry, Eifion Williams, Mark Dempsey.
Substitute: Danny Carter for Mark Dempsey
Caersws: Matthew Griffiths, Andy Thomas, Sean Jehu, Anthony Griffiths, Lee
Harding, Marc Hughes, Geraint Lewis, Hugh Clarke, Steve Edwards, Rob Hamer, Damon Russell.
Substitutes: Gary Jones for Andy Thomas; Lee Edwards for Marc Hughes
Att: 254 Referee: Mark Sansom.
Barry and Caersws met on three occasions at the end of September and beginning of October, twice in the Gilbert League of Wales Cup and once in the League of Wales itself.
This was the first occasion in which the two clubs had met in the Gilbert Cup, and also the first time which the competition was played over only one leg. Perhaps someone should have told the competing sides, as goals from Damon Russell and Geraint Lewis saw the Bluebirds storm into a two goal lead at the Recreation Ground, only for Barry's Eifion Williams and Justin Perry to force a replay here at Jenner Park a fortnight later.
However, if Barry had been in real danger of defeat in the first match at Caersws, then the replay saw the Dragons ensure safe passage into the second round with what was ultimately a comfortable 5-0 win over their mid-Walian rivals.
Caersws had the opening chance of the game, with Darren Davies being alert to the danger and clearing well after only two minutes of play.
However, Barry's first real opportunity also led to their first goal. Jody Jenkins found space on the left, and centred to Mark Dempsey. Unfortunately, he had no time to make use of possession, being fouled. He took the resulting penalty himself, making it 1-0 to Barry after six minutes.
Caersws had a chance to equalise soon after, but Dave Wells saved Rob Hamer's shot.
Barry were 2-0 ahead a few minutes later, when an expansive move saw Terry Evans feed Eifion Williams, who, in turn, set up Justin Perry. He side-footed home from close range for his second Gilbert Cup goal of the season.
Mark Dempsey nearly added a third goal just before half-time, beating the defence only for his shot to be saved by the Caersws keeper.
It remained 2-0 until the final third of the match. In the 68th minute, a pass from Lee Barrow found Eifion Williams who calmly put the ball around Matthew Griffiths in the Caersws goal.
Williams scored again in the 77th minute, again latching onto a pass. He achieved his hat-trick with two minutes remaining, newly introduced substitute, Danny Carter, setting up a volley for Williams to fire home.
The scoreline was harsh on Caersws, but showed that Barry were able to reproduce the firepower that had seen them win the Gilbert Cup in the two previous years.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry Town matchday magazine v Caersws, 30.01.99, League of Wales
