Battling Barry take game from Merthyr Vets
MERTHYR VETERANS OVER 50S ......................... 2 BARRY TOWN VETERANS ................................... 4
DESPITE fielding their strongest squad of the season, Merthyr went down to the seasiders who took the league runners-up slot.
It was a pin-point centre from former Aston Villa player Gavin Price which led to the fourth and killer Barry goal when Merthyr were enjoying most of the second half possession.
The home team began well on the 3G surface at The LoadLok Community Stadium but Barry took control, winning the ball in central midfield.
Merthyr made three changes for the second half under manager Brian Caffell and posed a strong challenge, putting the Barry goal under pressure.. until Barry hit their last goal.
It was a fine start for Merthyr wiith Gerry Hatch running through and hitting the post before he was involved in a passing movement with Chris Jones which led to Carl Lewis firing wide.
Jones stayed cool in the box and set up Hatch who drove Merthyr ahead on seven minutes.
With Les Thomas controlling matters in the middle, Merthyr kept pressing until Mike Fredriksen levelled on 15 minutes, the shot from the left rolling into the far corner of the net, just eluding the home defence.
When Barry got past defender Chris Cleaver, Terry Collins saved well in the Merthyr goal.
But on 25 minutes defender Elvis Ballysingh was able to rise unchallenged to head firmly home from a Barry corner on the right.
The visitors were now on top, finding lots of space in the middle of the park while Merthyr were guilty of some poor passing.
Three minutes before the break, Merthyr appealed for offside but a third goal came. Collins advanced as Francis Dupuy received a close range pass and netted.
Anthony Phillips, Des Astley and Ross Wakeley were brought on after the break, and the second period saw Merthyr’s renewed efforts put them on top.
Thomas went close, and Astley probed well on the right.It was Thomas who pulled a goal back with a well-flighted ball which went off the goalkeeper and into the top corner in the 56th minute after a move from the left. (Veterans’ games are 45 minutes each half ).
Astley set up Jones but Barry cleared. Phillips then headed near the target following a free-kick as more chances came for Merthyr.
But they were rocked by Barry on 59 minutes. Price, who has played for Aston Villa’s Oldstars. floated over a superb cross which was met by the head of Fredriksen and Barry were 4-2 up.
Wakeley crossed from the left but there was no one in the box to meet the ball. Keith Williams fired narrowly wide but Barry rallied and were foiled by good covering at the back from Paul Jones. Merthyr had done enough in the second half to give them the chance of at least a point but overall, Barry had shown they are a useful outfit.
On May 6 Merthyr are in their first ever final when they meet Swansea Uni 50s at Ystrad Mynach in The Over 50s Cup (1pm).But next Saturday the two sides clash in Swansea for a league encounter.
A spectator on Sunday was Hylene Powell, a 50-50 ticket-seller for Merthyr Town, who met Barry Veterans’ manager, former Merthyr Tydfil winger Dickie Batt, while on holiday in Cornwall.