Barry Town Vets over 60s kicked off their season with a scoreless draw against a strong Swansea outfit at Ystrad Mynach. Barry were the better side on the night with Price, Huish, Staddon and Brown controlling matters and Trevor Taylor, Morgan, Crothers and Bowker steady defensively.

The twin-pronged 70 year old attack of Lennon and particularly ‘Town’ legend, Dickie Batt forced former Swansea City stopper Alan Meacham into regular action and his inspired performance between the sticks helped secure an invaluable point for his team. On the 16th November several of the Barry Town players will line-up for Wales over 60s to face the auld enemy, England, at Jenner Park.

The over 55s consolidated their position at the top of their league with a superb 8-1 win over last years runners-up Llantrisant. The veterans lit up Jenner Park with some scintillating football and keeper Niblett was a relative spectator. Llantrisant came into this game with high hopes of an upset but from the off ‘Town’ dictated the game – Huish, Dyke, Marshall and Dupuy forcing the opposition into retreat and feeding their impressive front pairing of Sanderson and Bobbett, but it was an outstanding long ball from Gibbins that allowed Dyke to put Barry 1-0 up after 10 minutes.

Barry continued to torment their opponents and the goals soon flowed. Sanderson finished well after a superb first touch and his strike partner, the diminutive Bobbett, scored with two terrific headers. Both players went on to complete their hat-tricks. Dupuy completed the scoring on a day when defenders Staddon, Gibb, Gibbins and Murray were rarely troubled and ‘Town’ maintained the o55s unbeaten run. They now go into their match away to main rivals Swansea on 10th November with real confidence.  

After losing out narrowly to Continental in their last game, the over 50s travelled to Ebbw Vale to face a tough Merthyr Tydfil outfit with a weakened squad due to late withdrawals and fitness concerns. The hosts started well but Barry maintained their discipline and should have been 2-0 up after 15 minutes, Fredriksen spurning two golden opportunities. Disaster struck soon afterwards when the talismanic Averies had to leave the field with a hamstring tear and Merthyr soon capitalised, albeit fortuitously, after goalkeeper Harding had saved well.

A Liligreen effort was superbly saved by the home keeper but soon Averies’ central defensive partner Paul ’Smiler’ Sims was also in trouble with a calf strain, although he battled on manfully until the break. The Barry defensive cupboard was now bare and the experienced Merthyr attack took full advantage scoring their second, again fortuitously.

Liligreen gave Barry some hope with a crisp finish, but within minutes the hosts took full advantage of Barry’s lack of pace across the back to score a third and then fourth to put the game beyond the visitors. Luckily the 50s are without a fixture until 1st December, which should be enough time return to full fitness.

2019/20 Barry Town Vets fixtures and results

Sept 8   Penybont 2 -3 BARRY 55s

Sept 15 BARRY 50s 1-0 Cardiff Accies

Sept 22 BARRY 55s 4-0 Merthyr

Oct 6     Newport 2-6 BARRY 55s

Oct 20   BARRY 50s 1-2 Continental

Oct 20   BARRY 60s 0-0 Swansea

Oct 27   BARRY 55s 8-1 Llantrisant

Nov 3    Merthyr 4-1 BARRY 50s

Nov 10  Swansea vs BARRY 55s / LLandarcy Sports / 2pm

Nov 17  Merthyr vs BARRY 60s / Ystrad Mynach Centre / 4.30pm

Nov 24  BARRY 55s vs Penybont / Jenner Park / 1pm             

Dec 1    Swansea vs BARRY 50s / LLandarcy Sports / 2pm

Dec 8    Barry 55s vs Merthyr (CUP) / Jenner Park / 11am

Dec 15  BARRY 50s vs Nelson / Jenner Park / 11am

Dec 15  BARRY 60s vs Newport / Ystrad Mynach Centre / 4.30pm

Jan 5     Merthyr vs BARRY 55s / Penydarren Park / 2pm

Jan 26   Penybont vs BARRY 50s / Bryntirion Park / 2pm

Feb 2     Swansea vs BARRY 55s / LLandarcy Sports / 2pm

Feb 9     BARRY 50s vs Llantrisant / TBC / TBC

Feb 16  BARRY 55s vs Newport / TBC / TBC

Feb 23  BARRY 50s vs Mathern / TBC / TBC     

Feb 23  Penybont vs BARRY 60s / Ystrad Mynach Centre / 4.30pm                 

March 8 Llantrisant vs BARRY 60s / TBC / 4.30pm

Mar 15  Llantrisant vs BARRY 55s / Tonyrefail Welfare ground / 2pm    

Mar 29  Newport vs BARRY 50s / LLanwern Sports / 2pm 

Apr 5     BARRY 55s vs Swansea / TBC / TBC

Apr 19   Cwmbran vs BARRY 50s / Celtic Park, Cwmbran / TBC