Barry lift Cup after Shootout Success

Welsh Cup Winners
By Webmaster/Rheolwr y Wefan
May 11 2003

Barry Town have clinched their third successive double after beating Cwmbran in the Welsh Cup final on penalties. With the scores locked at 2-2, Jon French scored the decisive penalty to send the Cup back to Jenner Park.

Although Cwmbran were guaranteed a place in next season's UEFA Cup, they had their eyes firmly on clinching their first ever Welsh Cup and a place in next season's Premier Cup.

Barry on the other hand had the opportunity to claim an unprecedented third successive league and welsh cup double.

It was the league champions who started out brightly, and won a penalty when Richard Hurling was considered to have deliberatley used his arm inside the box by referee Brian Bevan. Tom Ramasut cooly slotted the ball past Crows' keeper Ellicott to give Barry a 1-0 lead.

Everything seemed to be going to plan until Cwmbran unleashed their secret weapon...Barry goalkeeper Abi Baruwa. Twice the big Nigerian flapped for the ball in the air, and to everyone's amazement it was soon 2-1 Cwmbran

The equaliser was tapped in by Welsh, and just 9 minutes later captain Adam Moore did likewise, leaving everyone in a state of deja-vu.

The second half began with a Barry onslaught on the Cwmbran goal, but the Crows defence comfortably dealt with everything their opposition threw at them. That was until the 87th minute, when Cwmbran gave away a needless corner. Barry centre-back Lee Phillips took full advantage sliding home after an inswinging corner from Gary Lloyd.

The Cwmbran players were obviously deflated after such a late blow and the fatigue levels would only increase as the game drifted into extra time.

The two periods of extra time were a scrappy affair with Cwmbran players clearly shattered after keeping out Barry's full-timer professionals. Although Barry created little again in the additional time, former Welsh B-International was just a coat of paint from scoring the winning goal in the 118th minute. Nathan Wigg pushed the tricky Adebayo Akinfenwa to the ground, and up stepped the veteran left-back to take his trademark free-kick. The ball was beautifully lifted over the wall but curved against the face of the post. The danger was not over, and Cwmbran found a hero in keeper Ellicott as he dived bravely at Andrew York's feet to deny a rebound shot.

And so, the inevitable penalty shoot out arrived. After Rhodri Jones and Jason Welsh missed for Cwmbran, and Nicky Burke's effort for Barry was saved, French had the opportunity to win the Cup. The veteran midfielder confidently stepped up to break Cwmbran hearts and put Barry in the history books.

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