Despite an attempt to create news, there appears to be little new information revealed.
Two of those, Chris Sloan and John Jones, made their debuts on Tuesday in the title clinching match against Carmarthen.
The third player is 19-year old David Broadbent, a Barry-based player who has been on Newcastle United's books for the past few years.
That will also be the date for drawing the preliminary round for the new-look UEFA Cup.
The Inter-Toto Cup will be drawn on Thursday, April 15th.
Last year's winner was Danny Carter, who also won the Supporters' Club Player of the Year.
As yet, there is no date for the Supporters' Club presentation, which will be held in the Football Club on Barry Road.
That begins on Tuesday, when Barry travel to Cardiff for a League of Wales match.
Barry travel to Haverfordwest on Saturday, 10th April, before entertaining Inter in the Gilbert League of Wales Cup semi-final on Tuesday, 13th April.
Barry aren't in action on the 17th, but are again home to Inter on the 20th April. That match, in the FAW Premier Cup semi-final first leg, will be an early kick-off and shown live on BBC Wales Two.
Barry finish their League of Wales season with a trip to Aberystwyth on Saturday, 24th April, before the second leg of the FAW Premier Cup game away at Inter on Tuesday, 27th April.
The final of the FAW Premier Cup is on Sunday, 23rd May, and will be screened live on BBC Wales Two.
There is no present date for the Gilbert League of Wales Cup final.
Inter will be visiting Jenner Park three times in that week!
The other semi-final takes place at Latham Park, Newtown between Carmarthen Town and Cowny United.
The matches will be played with extra-time and penalty kicks if necessary.
The loss of Eifion Williams to Torquay United meant nothing to a strong and effectiv Barry Town, who boasted two new loan signings up front, six foot five Chris Sloan from Bristol City, and John Jones of Chester City.
Sloan found the net on three occasions, as Barry ran riot, while Jones hit the back of the goal once, and was unlucky not to do so again, with the referee disallowing his second attempt after a goaline handball by former Barry player, Steve Williams, who was red-carded.
Carmarthen took the lead after six minutes, when Lee Barrow fired into his own net, but Barry levelled through Sloan.
The goal of the night, though, was undoubtedly that from Mark Dempsey, his third in as man matches, who beat his marker before smashing home from 30 yards, his ground level shot beating the keeper.
John Jones, a new signing from Chester City, took advantage of a defensive mistake to make it 3-1 just after the break, before a wonderful curling strike from new Carmarthen signing, Ryan Nicholls, made it 3-2.
John Jones strike from six yards was punched off the line by Steve Williams, but a referee's whistle ensured that it didn't count in the goal tally, but Williams was sent off, with the visitors having already received five yellow cards from Swansea based referee Simon Jones.
Mark Dempsey stepped up to take the penalty, but fired wide.
Nevertheless, the party atmosphere overtook Jenner Park, and ina flowing display of football, Barry added two more goals, both through Chris Sloan, completing his hat-trick on his League of Wales debut.
John Jones left the field to be replaced by Justin Perry, while Mark Dempsey took his bow, with Jody Jenkins moving onto the right wing.
Indeed, it was Perry who hit the final goal, his glancing header being Barry's sixth of the night, and confirming the title.
Andrew York, captain of Barry in the 1998/99 season, received the trophy, which was passed from member to member of the squad.
As tradition dictates, the top of the trophy was dropped by Jody Jenkins.
Elsewhere, Aberystwyth comfortably won 2-0 away at Rhayader Town, while Connah's Quay Nomads defeated Conwy 2-1.
The implications are tremendous, as Barry may well meet a side from the Faroe Islands or Luxembourg and reach the followin round. This has an additional knock-on effect as Barry will have a self-perpetuating position as seeds in the first round, and may even reach the second round after some success.
The other match, between Conwy United and Carmarthen Town will be played at Newtown's Latham Park on the same date.
Both players are strikers and are on minimum three month contracts.
The Western Mail featured articles on the recently announced sale of the club, with an extended interview with club general-manager, Chris Aust, in addition to a report of Saturday's victory over Rhyl, and a two page article on Eifion Williams' debut at Torquay United.
The South Wales Echo featured less, with an article on Eifion's debut in addition to a combined match report/sale report, which provided no new information.
Paula has been involved with the club since her husband, Neil, played for the side in 1959.
Supporters' reactions have been mixed, with some supporters seeing this as an opportunity for the club to move to better things.
It transpires that Cardiff City offered Barry £20,000 for the player last Tuesday. Barry refused the offer.
Lloyd, who sustained the injury after running into a post at Holywell, may be out for as long as six months.
If Barry win, or if Inter draw or lose at home to bottom side Holywell, then the Dragons take the championship and qualify for the European Champions League qualifiers.
Should Barry lose and Inter win, the title decider may not be until a week tomorrow, when Inter entertain Barry at Cardiff Athletic Stadium.
Barry will not be playing on that day.
They meet Swansea's Ragged School in the final.
Barry Town won the Trophy in 1994, under different entry requirements.
The Plaskynaston Lane side are the modern day descendants of the Druids club who won the Welsh Cup on eight occasions in the nineteenth century.
Little information is available other than that told to players yesterday morning, with Mrs.O'Halloran sending out a statement that she felt that she had taken the club as far as she possibly could, and that it was time for someone else to take over the reigns at Barry Town.
General secretary, Chris Aust, was interviewed by the Welsh media today, where he noted that the club was a 'going concern', with a recent £200,000 sponsorship deal with Tango being signed, in addition to the club's regular appearances in Europe and money accrued from their performances in the FAW Premier Cup.
It is expected that the club will remain on a full-time level for the forthcoming season.
Barry held up their part of the bargain with a 2-0 victory over the League of Wales strugglers.
Mark Dempsey scored Barry's opener midway through the first half, receiving the ball thirty yards out and beating several players before smashing the ball home from outside the box.
If that was the class of the day, then Barry's winning goal was almost comical. Under pressure from Jody Jenkins, the Rhyl 'keeper mishit his clearance to the feet of Justin Perry, who chipped home from some 25 yards out.
Unfortunately, Inter Cabletel won 3-1 in their away match at Total Network Solutions, meaning that a Barry win in Tuesday's match against Carmarthen will be enough to secure the title, and a lucrative place in the European Champions' League qualifiers this Summer.
John Roberts, a former Barry keeper in the English league pyramid, made his Barry debut in the League of Wales today, replacing the injured Dave Wells.
Inter, as already noted, won 3-1 away at Total Network Solutions, but the day's most impressive result was the 3-0 home victory for Aberystwyth against Bangor City.
Carmarthen worsened Holywell's relegation problems with a 3-0 win at Richmond Park, while Conwy won by the same scoreline at Caersws.
Connah's Quay Nomads beat Haverfordwest 3-1 on Deeside, while Newtown won 2-0 at Afan Lido.
The former Barry striker opened his account after 39 minutes, and added further goals after 56 and 70.
Eifion signed for a Torquay record buy of £70,000, which was also Barry's biggest selling on fee.
Williams scored 96 goals for Barry in his 18 months at the club after signing from Caernarfon in August 1997.
In recent years, the co-efficient of a country has determined where clubs are seeded in the European competitions, but Euroflash hints that this may be superseded by the co-efficient of the club.
How this will work in practice remains uncertain, but it may be that Barry will be seeded in the first round of next season's European Champions League qualifiers - and avoid playing Dynamo Kyiv!
Eifion signed for Barry from Caernarfon Town on the eve of the 1997/98 season, scoring 96 goals in a Barry shirt, including a goal against European Champions League semi-finalists, Dynamo Kyiv.
Barry's record signing cost the club £25,000, a record between two League of Wales clubs, but proved his worth, scoring on his debut as the first of 57 goals last season, with an additional 39 this season.
Torquay's Alex Watson was present at last Saturday's League of Wales match at Holywell, where Eifion scored a hat-trick, and was present alongside Torquay manager, Wes Saunders, on Tuesday night, when Barry effectively sealed the League of Wales title by defeating third-placed rivals, Cwmbran Town.
Having previously represented his country at under-21 level while at Caernarfon Town, Eifion also represented Wales 'B', scoring the winner against Northern Ireland 'B' last month.
Everyone at Barry is very grateful for his commitment to the club over the past two seasons, where he has played a huge role in winning the title last season, and in putting Barry in such a strong position this year.
We all wish him the best of luck for the future at Torquay United.
Richard Jones gave Barry the lead after 27 minutes with a header, but former Barry striker, Chris Summers, who scored for Merthyr at Jenner Park last season, equalised with a 50th minute penalty.
Barry held out, though, with a fierce 62nd minute drive from Mark Dempsey going under Cwmbran keeper, O'Hagan, and giving Barry a 2-1 win.
Victories on both Saturday (v Rhyl) and Tuesday (v Carmarthen) would ensure the title, but a victory on Saturday may be enough, if combined with Cwmbran drawing or losing to Rhayader on Friday night (Rhayader won the return 6-3) and Inter drawing or losing at Total Network Solutions (the return was drawn 1-1).
Torquay's manager was again present at Jenner Park last night to watch the striker.
Under the previous system, both club and country were ranked according to performance over the past five seasons, with clubs being seeded depending upon which ranking was best. In recent years, the system has been to rank clubs purely upon the standing of their country.
A return to the old system would be an advantage to Barry, who are seeded at 206 in Europe, as compared to Wales as a whole which is 233.
A doctoral appointment today ruled Wales B cap Lloyd out of the next five weeks of football - effectively until the end of the League of Wales season.
Williams, who scored a hat-trick on his return to LoW football last weekend, is the LoW top scorer, with 28 goals, in addition to his strike for Wales B last month.
Torquay, who have former Wales keeper, Neville Southall, in goal, have recently received over £1.3 million for the sale of three players, and may well be able to pay Barry's asking price for the 23 year old striker.
The match will take place at Anfield in June, as originally scheduled.
Mark, a regular contributor to the Barry Town e-mail list, is currently hard at work on his new website, which can be found at: http://www.angelfire.com/on/linebarry/
The match was originally scheduled for January 2nd, but a severe flu bug hit Barry, forcing the cancellation of the match. An attempt to rearrange the match for 23rd January proved futile.
Barry won the match at Cwmbran Stadium 4-0 on the opening day of the season, but with Cwmbran looking to secure a European place and being the club with the second highest possible points total, tonight looks to be a close game.
The home side, with only two league wins this season, took the lead after 23 minutes, and kept their lead until after the break, when Eifion Williams scored a header from a Mark Dempsey cross.
Holywell returned to the lead when player/manager, Vernon Keep, scored direct from a free-kick two minutes later, but another cross from Dempsey to Williams saw Barry again draw level.
With thirteen minutes remaining on the clock, Williams fired home his third goal and ensured all three points for the visitors.
The only concern is for Gary Lloyd, who was concussed after hitting a post.
An eighth minute goal from Paul Giles gave Inter a home victory over Rhayader, while Cwmbran were a goal down to Caersws after 83 minutes, with Tim Steel netting for the mid-Wales side. However, two late goals from Chris Summers and Mattie Davies earnt the Crows victory and moved them away from fourth spot prior to their visit to Barry on Tuesday.
Afan Lido moved up two places after another home draw, their third in succession. On Saturday, they were at home to Total Network Solutions, and took a 2-0 lead .However, TNS hit back to make it 3-2 before Lido grabbed an equaliser.
At Newtown, Aberystwyth took the lead through a 40th minute own goal, but the home side hit back with a Nicky Ward penalty to draw the game.
A goal fifteen minutes from the end gave Haverfordwest victory over Connah's Quay, while Caernarfon remain in fifth spot after a 1-1 draw away at Conwy. Mally Tidswell scored for the home side with Steve Fisher equalising from the penalty spot.
Bangor City scored an excellent 4-0 win over Carmarthen at Farrar Road, with Chris Sharratt scoring twice, alongside Robbie Williams and Aaron Thomas, son of former Welsh international, Mickey Thomas.
Cwmbran (who can reach 71pts) are the visitors to Jenner Park on Tuesday. If Barry beat Cwmbran tomorrow, Rhyl on Saturday and Carmarthen next Tuesday, then they are crowne champions.
If Barry beat Cwmbran tomorrow, and both Cwmbran and Inter draw on the weekend (Cwmbran away at Rhayader, Inter away at TNS) and Barry win on Saturday, then Barry win the LoW on Saturday.
If Barry draw tomorrow, but win on Saturday, Tuesday and the other two drop points - then next Tuesday.
If Barry lose tomorrow, then they can't win until the match against Inter on April 6th.
Confused? Perhaps it'd be easier to wait until tomorrow!
Mutton, who joined Bangor from Rhyl in November, scored one goal, and was brought down for a penalty in Barry's recent 4-2 win over Bangor.
Barry's League of Wales match against Carmarthen on 17th April, the Welsh Cup semi-final date has been rearranged to accomodate this.
This will be Conwy's second semi-final, following their 1-0 defeat to Barry in 1997. It will be Carmarthen's first time in the last four. The match is likely to be played in mid-Wales.
The other semi-final is between Inter Cabletel and Cwmbran Town. This will be Inter's second appearance at this part of the compeititon, following a 4-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Llansantffraid in 1996. Cwmbran will be making their third stop in the semi-finals, having been defeated on the away goals rule by Barry in 1996, 3-3, before beating Aberystwyth 2-0 at Llanelli in 1997. They lost to Barry 2-1 in the final. This match may be played at Barry.
The criterion for selection to this squad is as yet unclear.
Eifion Williams, returning after a four-game lay off through injury, slipped past his marker, Michael Regan, and his low cross from the right saw Richard Jones put the ball in the back of the net.
Barry had early chances through Danny Carter and Jones, but failed to take the advantage, while Merthyr went close through former Barry player, Cohen Griffith, and Gary Shepherd.
Last night's victory earnt Barry in excess of £20,000 and has given the Dragons another cup tie against local and LoW rivals, Inter Cabletel. No dates have yet been set for the two-legged matches, but Barry will be at home first.
In the other semi-final, English League Second Division side, Wrexham, will be at home to English League Third Division side, Cardiff City.
Inter, who drew 1-1 with Connah's Quay last Saturday, went 1-0 down to the Nomads last night, before a Paul Evans goal levelled, Neil Davies put them in the lead and Evans scored again to give them a comfortable win.
Inter will meet Cwmbran for the EIGHTH time this season, when the two clubs play in the Welsh Cup semi-final on April 17th. Inter have won 4 times, with two draws and a Cwmbran win. The match may be played at Jenner Park.
The other Welsh Cup quarter-final replay, between Conwy and Ammanford will be played tonight at the Morfa.
Barry will play third-placed Cwmbran Town on Tuesday, 23rd March, at Jenner Park, in a match rescheduled from January 2nd.
The Dragons will then meet Carmarthen Town the following Tuesday, 30th March, again at Jenner Park, in a match brought forward from Saturday, 17th April. This is due to Carmarthen's Welsh Cup semi-final commitments.
The final rescheduled match is the Gilbert League of Wales Cup semi-final, which will be played on Tuesday, 13th April at Jenner Park. Inter Cabletel are the opponents in a match which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, 2nd March.
The other Gilbert Cup semi-final will be played at the Oval tomorrow, between Caernarfon Town and three times finalists, Bangor City.
No further team news is available, but Barry have recently suffered injuries to striker Eifion Williams and defender Andrew York, both of whom may be missing tonight.
Despite missing Eifion Williams and Andrew York, Barry held out against the 6th placed side, who drew 5-5 at Jenner Park last season. Ironically, Newtown have failed to scored in the three games since, including a 0-0 draw at Latham Park a fortnight ago.
Holywell are now four points behind the other two sides, with only one side being relegated.
In the other games, Carmarthen Town knocked out CC Sports side, Port Talbot Athletic, thanks to a Paul Burrows penalty, while 1997 cup finalists, Cwmbran, beat 1996 winners, Total Network Solutions, with Mattie Davies and Chris Summers scoring the goals in a 2-1 win at Llansantffraid.
The semi-final draw pairs the winner of the Connah's Quay/Inter Cabletel replay with Cwmbran Town, while Carmarthen Town, who are on their best ever Welsh Cup run, will play the winner of the Conwy United/Ammanford replay.
An Ammanford win on Wednesday at the Morfa would set up a local derby in West Wales, while a win for Inter tomorrow at home to Connah's Quay would lead to the EIGHTH meeting this season between the Cardiff side and Cwmbran. Connah's Quay, though, would be more than deserved winners if they get through, last year's finalists having knocked out Newtown and Barry on their way to the fifth round. Ammanford, meanwhile, are the final representatives of the feeder leagues into the LoW, the CC Sports League Division Two side also having their best ever Welsh Cup run.
The semi-finals will be played at neutral grounds on Saturday, 17th April. Jenner Park may be a venue, should Inter Cabletel defeat Connah's Quay Nomads in the replay.
A favoured date may be the following Tuesday, 20th April (there is no replay after a semi-final), as happened last year when Barry reached the semi-final.
It is believed that a rearranged match with Cwmbran has already been switched again to accomodate Wells.
Should he be called up to the side, then Russell Morgan, also signed on second-club forms with CC Sports first division side, Cardiff Corries, may make his Barry debut and become our sixth goalkeeper this season.
In the final, currently scheduled for Haverfordwest's Bridge Meadow ground on Sunday, 25th April, Barry meet Newport Strikers, who defeated Bangor City Ladies 4-3 after penalties.
Barry still have a scored to settle after Newport knocked them out of the Cup three years ago.
Age-old rivals, it was the club's first competitive meeting for a decade, with former Barry player, Chris Summers, scoring the winning goal after 109 minutes. This came after the sending-off of Barry goalkeeper, Mark Ovendale.
The match will be screened live on BBC Wales 2, kicking off at 7:15p.m.
Also tomorrow are the League of Wales basement between Afan Lido and Rhayader Town (they played and drew 1-1 last week at the Weirglodd) and the Welsh Cup Fifth Round replay between Inter Cabletel and Connah's Quay Nomads. If that game ends drawn, then exta-time and penalties will be used to find a winner.
Williams, who sustained an injury in the visit to Newtown two weeks ago, hasn't played since,and is expected to be rested for today's match in which the same opponents visit Jenner Park.
However, while the South Wales Echo wonders if he is being rested in order to play in Tuesday's F.A.W Premier Cup quarter-final against Merthyr Tydfil, the Barry and District News believes that the player's injury may be more serious and may miss Tuesday's match.
There is still no date for the game between Barry and Inter Cabletel. Both fixtures were postponed after torrential rain a fortnight ago.
Five of the goals were scored by ex-Barry boys, with Russell Wigley opening the scoring and Phil Johnson finding the net on his debut after moving from Aberystwyth Town. Cwmbran's sixth goal was scored by Mattie Davies.
The Crows remain in third, four points behind Inter Cabletel, but with two games in hand.
Aberystwyth got off to a winning start under new manager, Barry Powell, defeating Carmarthen Town 3-2 at Park Avenue. Steve Williams was the hero for Aber, scoring twice, including the injury-time winner.
The Black and Greens leapfrog T.N.S into fourth spot.
At the Oval, Caernarfon maintained their good home record with a 3-1 win over Newtown, who travel to Barry on Saturday. Caernarfon move up the table, closing the ground between them and Newtown.
Elsewhere, Holywell stay bottom after a 2-1 away defeat at Conwy United, who move into the top 10. However, 16th placed Rhayader couldn't move away from the bottom with a 1-0 away defeat at Haverfordwest County.
Afan Lido's appalling home record and league position made Barry outright favourites to win at the Aberafan Beach ground, but the Port Talbot club, the side with the best LoW record against Barry, held out for a goalless draw.
Barry are now eight points clear of second placed Inter Cabletel, but now have only one game in hand on the Cardiff-based club. Inter have no midweek fixture, despite an otherwise full complement of LoW games.
Tonight's LoW games include Cwmrban Town entertaining Rhyl, Conwy meeting Holywell (venue uncertain), Aberystwyth playing Carmarthen, Haverfordwest at home to Rhayader and Caernarfon playing host to Newtown.
Powell, who had been coaching Coventry City's Youth side, will take over the Park Avenue club for their League of Wales match this evening against Carmarthen Town at Park Avenue.
The first change has already taken place in mid-Wales, with former Barry player, Phil Johnson, joining Aber's LoW rivals, Cwmbran Town, where he links up with other former Barry boys such as Lee Matthews, Ben Graham, Chris Summers and 80's icon, Jimmy Blackie.
Bangor have been one of the in-form teams in recent weeks, and an upset may have been on the cards with Barry missing top striker Eifion Williams through injury and fellow forward, Justin Perry through suspension.
However, two goals in a minute from replacement front runner Richard Jones saw Barry take a two goal lead into the break, which was added to five minutes later by Danny Carter, who was set up by Jones.
Bangor pulled a goal back through Tommy Mutton, but Barry restored their three goal led when Gareth Shone scored on the hour - his second goal for Barry.
Bangor's player/manager, Leigh Williams, scored the North Walians second goal with a penalty, after Mutton had been fouled.
The visitors side contained former Barry players, Dave Norman and Steve O'Shaughnessy.
Cwmbran also kept their good run going with a 4-2 win away at Caernarfon Town. Mattie Davies scored twice for the Crows with Chris Summers and Ben Graham (both former Barry players) scoring their other goals. Steve Fisher scored twice for the home side.
Total Network Solutions kept up their fight for Europe with a 1-0 victory over local rivals Aberystwyth Town on Friday night. The goal was scored by Mark Coates, who recently rejoined the club.
At Rhyl, Haverfordwest won 2-1, with Jamie Rickard scoring twice for the West Walians. Rhyl's goal came through Scott Millington.
However, neither side won the basement battle at the Weirglodd, with Rhayader and Afan Lido drawing 1-1. Lido, who entertain Barry tomorrow, took the lead after 3 minutes through Andrew Pearson, but following a first half sending off, conceded a goal scored by John Morris.
The award is voted for by supporters' club members on a match-to-match basis, and then counted at the conclusion of each calendar month.
Perry was suspended following a sending-off at Rhayader at the start of February.
It is hoped that Williams will be fit for the visit to Aberafan.
Powell was present at last Friday's match, taking notes from the grandstand.
He has been previously linked with the club four years ago, when Appleton took over for his second spell in charge of the mid-Wales club.
Other League of Wales matches to be shown on Sunday are Aberystwyth's home match with Total Network Solutions, the visit of Newtown to Carmarthen Town and the match between Caernarfon Town and Cwmbran Town. Also possible is either Caersws v Inter Cabletel or Rhayader Town v Afan Lido.
Barry's home match against Inter Cabletel was one match called off, at 4p.m. on the day of the game, while the Caernarfon Town v Bangor City match was postponed the day before the game. As yet, there is no new date for either match.
Elsewhere, though, Cardiff City booked their place in the FAW Premier Cup semi-final after defeating Swansea City 3-2 on Tuesday evening.
Links to other sites on the Web
Barry Town homepage
League of Wales results and table
February News
January News
Barry Town results 98-9
This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
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