On Sunday 15th Barry Town Vets Over 60s secured a comfortable 3-0 win over a strong Newport outfit, and in doing so moved to the top of the league.
Barry dominated the match from start to finish at Ystrad Mynach Centre for Sport, and were it not for the sparkling form of Newport stopper Phil Williams, the scoreline would have been far more emphatic. The midfield trio of Huish, Price and Staddon took immediate control and along with wide men Morgan and Town legend Dickie Batt, chalking up his millionth match, forced the Newport defence into a frantic rearguard action.
Talismanic striker Bobbett, playing his third game in two days, tormented his opponents and went close on a number of occasions before finishing with aplomb after a clever flick from Huish. Newport rarely threatened and with Brown and Gibb in consummate form, keeper Orpin was a mere spectator. Morgan almost increased Barry’s lead with a deft header and Huish, Price, Staddon and Bobbett were also denied by a stubborn defensive effort by the opponents, so the score remained at 1-0 going into the break.
70-year-old Lennon replaced 70-year-old Batt and Parkin replaced Morgan for the second half, with normal service soon resumed as Bobbett screamed a second into the top corner of the net. The onslaught continued, even in blizzard conditions. Huish hit the post after fine interplay with Bobbett and Price, and had further efforts tipped away by the inspired Newport gloveman. Bobbett was denied his hat-trick by a superb defensive block, as was Brown after one of his customary mazy runs forward.
But Barry were not to be denied and when substitute Eveleigh, impressing on his Barry Vets debut, started a move involving Staddon and then Bobbett, Lennon acrobatically ‘scissor-kicked’ home to complete an impressive evening for his club.
Earlier in the day, the Over 50s lost by one goal to visitors Nelson at Jenner Park. They were in a confident mood going into the contest after an excellent win in their last match away to Swansea, but losing three key players before the game and then influential midfielder Lilligreen with just three minutes on the clock was a major factor in the defeat.
In a rejigged line-up, it was inevitable that it would take time to settle and defenders Simms, Gibb, Blackie and James soon found themselves under immediate pressure by the swift Nelson front line, but luckily Barry gloveman Wills was alert to any danger.
Further up the pitch, Averies and replacement Taylor struggled to contain the opponents midfield trio, whilst wide men Dupuy and Stait made little headway. The home side were working hard, and although the passing was unusually wayward they still claimed a fair share of possession. A weak final ball was their affliction, although Owens might have scored had he connected with a Fredriksen pass.
Fredriksen himself was unlucky to see his shot cleared off the line but then sloppy work in the midfield allowed Nelson to break quickly and the visitors’ striker placed the ball expertly past Wills to take his side 1-0 up going into the interval.
In the second half further changes were made to retrieve the game, but with key players unavailable and several of the squad having played a full game the day before there was little spark to the play. Wills completed a man-of-the-match performance when he dived bravely to deny the visiting striker. This seemed to trigger a reaction and for the last ten minutes Barry were camped in the opponents’ penalty area. Dupuy and Stait finally managed some accuracy with their crossing, which were frantically defended by the visitors. But when Fredriksen had a fine header saved and the rebound inexplicably failed to find the net, it confirmed this was not to be Barry’s day.
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 3-1 BARRY 55s
Nov 24 BARRY 55s 3-0 Penybont
Dec 1 Swansea 3-7 BARRY 50s
Dec 8 Barry 55s 4-0 Merthyr (CUP)
Dec 15 BARRY 50s 0-1 Nelson
Dec 15 BARRY 60s 3-0 Newport
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