MARCH 14, 2018
BARRY CONTINUE WINNING WAYS
International football returns to Jenner Park this coming Tuesday (20th March), as the newly-formed Wales C squad tackle their England counterparts in a 7.30pm kick-off.
Three Barry Town United players have made the cut, with goalkeeper Mike Lewis, full-back Chris Hugh and playmaker Jordan Cotterill poised to represent manager Mark Jones, assistant Owain Tudor Jones and Y Ddraig Goch against the visiting Three Lions.
A fourth, forward Kayne McLaggon, had been selected, only for the hometown striker to be cruelly ruled out of contention by MRI scan results, following the ankle injury sustained in Barry's 4-1 win against Llandudno.
McLaggon's injury meant the club's leading goalscorer also missed out on Friday's trip to Carmarthen, but the target man will have been delighted with the outcome at Richmond Park, as Barry battled to a 1-0 victory that secured their JD Welsh Premier League status.
With heavy rain and travel chaos in the lead-up, a delayed kick-off allowed the team, staff and fans to make it down the M4 in time, with Barry attacking the oversized novelty stereo tannoy end in the first half.
Continuing to stake his claim for a Wales C starting place, mercurial Cotterill showed nimble footwork to set up an early shot wide, but it was Carmarthen who carved out the first clear-cut chance; an unmarked Luke Bowen forcing Lewis to save at close range, from a header the marksman should really have put away.
Lewis would later stretch out to deny Luke Cummings' long-distance effort, before clawing a goalbound ball right out of the top corner to keep his team on terms.
In the second half, Lewis would repel the Old Gold by punching a corner clear, only for Carmarthen captain Liam Thomas to fire his follow-up high over the bar.
Thomas then set up Bowen to left-foot an effort wide, as the frustrated hosts were left to rue their fortunes.
Having weathered several storms on this wettest of nights, Barry had been unable to break down their opponents, yet found new avenues as the match wore on, with Jonathan Hood whipping in a great cross for fellow newcomer James Demetriou, only for home goalkeeper Lewis Thomas to somehow keep the Cypriot-Australian from scoring at the back post.
Ultimately though, attacker Demetriou would have a major part to play; the former Sydney goalscorer latching onto a Cotterill through-ball and unleashing a shot from outside the penalty area that hit a post; allowing Fahiya to coolly side-foot home the winner.
It was Fahiya's first of the season and with a matter of minutes to spare, few could be more valuable, as Barry closed in on securing their top flight safety.
With 39 points in the bag, neither Carmarthen nor upcoming opponents Prestatyn can now overtake Gavin Chesterfield's team; a terrific achievement in this first campaign back among the domestic elite.
In the coming weeks, Barry will attempt to clinch seventh spot and a place in the play-offs for Europe football, with Newtown's visit to Jenner Park switched to 3.30pm on Sunday 15th April for live TV coverage.
First though, local football followers will be eager to see what part the Barry players play in Tuesday's C international, as the pick of the JD Welsh Premier League's eligible players go head-to-head with top young English talent from the National League.
Tickets for the fixture are currently on sale from the Jenner Park clubhouse (after 4pm), as well as online at FAW.Cymru, where further information is available.