The Yellow Dragon takes a look back at Barry's 1990-91 Welsh Cup run, and its' culmination in a semi-final defeat at the hands of the Swans.
Barry's game was a more difficult tie, as the Rhondda side kept Barry at bay for much of the game. It was only a goal from Paul Burrows (now at Carmarthen Town) which ensured a Barry victory. The gate at Ton Pentre's Ynys Park was 586, exactly 500 more than those who were at Barry's away match in the English Midland Division a few days later!
After their efforts, Barry were rewarded with a home tie against English G.M Vauxhall Conference side, Cheltenham Town, in the Fourth round. More than 400 people turned up to Jenner Park early in January, to see Barry record a 3-1 win over the English side. Paul Burrows scored twice for Barry, with winger Wayne Matthews scoring the other goal.
Swansea were also facing English G.M Vauxhall Conference opposition in the shape of Merthyr Tydfil. In front of nearly 3,000 people at Penydarren Park, the Swans won 2-1, with defender Chris Coleman scoring one of the goals and Steven Thornber getting the winner.
There were 450 people at Jenner Park for the match with the Gwent side, but there was to be no conclusion on the day. Dai Withers was the Barry goalscorer on the day. The replay took place four days later, at Abergavenny's Pen-y-Pound ground, in front of 650 spectators. That game also remained level for some time, until the last quarter of an hour, when a mistake from Aber keeper, Wayne Jones, allowed Withers to nip in and score the winning goal. Unfortunately, though, the match was soured by the double sending off of Barry's Anthony Thomas with Abergavenny's Simon Tyler.
It was no easier for Swansea, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Colwyn Bay. Terry Connor scored for the Swans when he latched onto a poor backpass, but the crowd of 1,000 went home satisfied with a draw as Bay's Peter Donnelly equalised after a corner from Jim Smith in the 82nd minute.
A crowd of 1,308 was at the Vetch for that replay, which the Swans eventually won by a 2-1 scoreline. Terry Connor, having given them a lifeline in the original game, was the hero of the replay as well, scoring both goals.
Following those replays, the two sides were again drawn together in the semi-final stage, with the other semi-final between Wrexham and Hereford United, who featured future Swansea and Barry player, Richard Jones.
Barry were at home in the first game, which was watched by a season-best of 1,977 at Jenner Park, in contrast to the previous meeting at 'Barry', which was moved to Ninian Park, Cardiff after fears of crowd trouble.
Swansea were captained by future Welsh international, Chris Coleman, while also including former-Wales player, Alan Davies in their ranks. Another player in Swansea's white was David Hough, who was later to win a Welsh Cup winners medal with Barry, scoring against Cardiff City in the 1994 Cup final.
Swansea took the lead early in the game, with a long throw from Andrew Legg leaving the Barry defence ball-watching as large centre-half, Mark Harris jumped high to head past the static defence.
Barry worked their way back into the game, changing tactics slightly, with the ball now being played into the feet of forwards Dai Withers and Paul Burrows. Former Swansea favourite, but Barry captain in 1991, Alan Curtis provided the pass which saw the home side equalise against the Swans. His ball split the visitors defence and found Burrows, whose volley took a deflection and confused Mark Kendall in the Swansea goal.
Swansea went out to retreive their lead, with a goaline clearance preventing a repeat of their earlier goal. However, it wasn't soon after that Barry took a shock lead. Dai Withers forced a corner, which Alan Curtis swung into the penalty area. The Swans failed to clear, and the ball fell to Anthony Thomas. His shot was skewed, but landed at the feet of Jimmy Blackie. Local boy, now with Cwmbran, Blackie made the most of his opportunity, smashing home to give Barry a 2-1 lead.
However, with only 8 minutes remaining, Swansea denied Barry a famous victory, with Alan Davies scoring a free-kick from outside the box, giving his side a 2-2 draw at Jenner Park.
The second leg, at the Vetch, took place a fortnight later, in front of 2,169 people, including a large number of traveling Barry fans. However, it wasn't to be third time lucky for Barry, again falling to an English League side at the semi-final stage of the Welsh Cup.
Barry very nearly took the lead after only five minutes, when Paul Burrows was given a chance in front of goal. However, Swansea 'keeper, Mark Kendall, was able to get hold of Burrows' shot.
Now featuring former Cardiff City favourite, Jimmy Gilligan, who had been injured before the first leg, Swansea took the lead in the eleventh minute. It was Gilligan himself who booked Swansea's place in the final, hooking home from close range, after confusion reigned in the Barry defence.
Barry had played thirteen matches in the previous month, and, as part-timers, this showed while playing Swansea's full-timers. The home side could easily have increased their lead, with Barry unable to defend their lines against Legg's long-throw-ins, with Legg himself being guilty of missing a clear-cut chance to put the game beyond Barry's reach.
In the second half, Barry came more into the game, but were unable to find an equaliser, let alone a winner to take the side into the final. As a tired Barry side saluted their fans after the game, and received all the credit for their performance, it wasn't enough to prevent reflection on a third successive disappointing semi-final defeat.
The Swans, however, were delighted with their performance, and moved on to the Welsh Cup final, and their first visit to Cardiff's National Stadium,the new home of the oldest trophy in world football. There, they met a Wrexham side which included former Barry player and current Swan, Dave O'Gorman, and defeated the North Walians in front of a crowd of 5,000 people, allowing the Swans the opportunity to take part in the Cup Winners' Cup the following Autumn against AC Monaco.
Links to other sites on the Web
Barry Town homepage
Barry Town matchday magazine index
F.A.W Premier Cup results 1998-99
This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1998.
This article first published in the Barry Town matchday magazine, v Swansea City, 17.11.1998, F.A.W Premier Cup, Group B.
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