Unless otherwise stated all match reports relate to Division One

Barry Town 3 – 0 Garden Village

Saturday 11 August 2007

by Stuart Lovering, Chairman, Barry Town FC

Barry Town wowed spectators at Jenner Park with a crushing 3-0 demolition of fancied Garden Village in the opening match of the season. 

From the kick-off, the Town stunned the crowd and the visiting team with the high tempo attacking football style favoured by new Manager, Gavin Chesterfield. The ball was being swept across the field with one and two touch football at high pace – the Town were 2-0 up within eight minutes.

The first goal came after three minutes from a 30 yard free kick by Jeff MacLean that rocketed into the corner of the net beyond the despairing reach of the Garden Village keeper. Picking the ball out of the net was the first touch of the ball by a Village player! Canadian MacLean is the former professional player who spent two years at Queen of the South and one year at Barry Town. 

The Town’s second goal came on eight minutes - again as a result of sustained pressure on the Village goal. A corner from Kieron James was headed towards goal by defender Liam Duff, both 18-year-olds promoted from last year’s Barry Town youth team. In the goalmouth scramble, the ball was turned in by a Garden Village player. 

Barry Town’s style of play this season is to mount wave after wave of attack at high tempo, sweeping the ball from one side of the field to the other, the whole team moving as a unit. The third goal, however, was a solo effort. Rob Blatchford picked up the ball in the Barry half and dribbled past three players before rifling in a shot from 25 yards as other Town players pulled defenders apart with their movement. 

Several chances came in the second half to double the lead. Zak Misbah, recovering from knee surgery, came on for the last ten minutes. Within seconds, Zak struck a shot which hit the inside of the post - the ball almost rebounding back to the striker. Three clear cut chances which should have been buried were hit about a foot over the bar from 10-15 yards out. The Town need to practice on more clinical finishing to rout teams at Jenner Park this season. 

So, after only one match, Barry Town sit at the top of the Division on goal difference. The Town’s next match is on Saturday 25th August, against Ammanford, kick-off 2.30pm. The players are staying at Jenner Park after the match for a ‘Race Night’ which is open to all, tickets £2 from the Club – a sell out is expected in the refurbished new football club so people are advised to purchase tickets as early as possible. 

Season tickets are still available at Jenner Park in advance or on match days. Prices have been reduced to allow for the matches played. Adults are now £55, OAPs/Students are £30. Applicants should send or take a passport photo, personal details and payments to Barry Town FC at Jenner Park. 

Click HERE for Garden Village's report

Barry Town Press Release

‘THE SAINTS COME MARCHING IN TO JENNER PARK’

Barry Town v Merthyr Tydfil

In a clash between two big rivals, Barry Town play host to Merthyr Tydfil on Tuesday August 7th at Jenner Park, kick-off 7.30pm. Merthyr may claim to be the bigger club at the moment but Barry Town have more titles, cups and trophies than Merthyr – add to that Barry Town’s success in Europe and Barry Town emerge triumphant.

However, on Tuesday Merthyr should be the favourites for victory - though the Dragons may yet surprise their valleys' rivals. Merthyr are bringing a full strength team to Jenner Park which includes player/Manager Gary Shepherd and Barry boy Christian Diamond who has played for Barry Town a few times over the last couple of years.

Barry Town include top striker Jamie Bradford signed from Merthyr despite many other offers from big spending teams. The Dragons Manager, Gavin Chesterfield, is desperate for the Town to beat Merthyr, having led his UWIC side to victory at Penydarren Park a few years ago. Top scorer Zak Mizba is recovering from his knee operation.

Barry Town's Manager, Gavin Chesterfield

Gavin is still team-building, “I hope to sign three or four new quality players this week. Then I will be very happy with the squad. Looking around at other teams in this League, I honestly don’t fear any of them and see no reason why we shouldn’t get automatic promotion. That’s not good enough for me though. I’ve said to the players I expect us to go up as champions. I’ve convinced some extremely good footballers to come to Barry Town by explaining the club as a project with the ultimate aim of getting back into Europe.”

The Barry Town Manager is ambitious and wants to manage a League team in the future. “There are very few clubs I would have applied for as Manager, other than Barry Town. The club and the facilities are first rate and are rightly the envy of the Welsh League and even some English league clubs. The set up here is also even better than I expected. The Clubhouse is just completing a major refurbishment and Barry Town is expanding its youth development which can only be for the good of talented children in Barry. Youngsters must have quality coaching in order to have any chance of progressing to a higher level and only Barry Town can provide that standard of training.” Gavin teaches Masters degrees in coaching and is on the world’s coaching body the International Council of Coaching Education.

After Tuesday’s friendly with Merthyr Tydfil, Barry Town open the season with a home match at Jenner Park against Garden Village on Saturday, August 11th, kick off 2.30pm. Season tickets are available at less than last season’s prices up until the Garden Village match. Adults are £65, OAPs/Students £34, children £17 . Just send a cheque and passport photo with name and address to Barry Town FC, Jenner Park, CF62 9BG. Match day prices are £5 adult, £4 OAP/student, £2 under 16. Children are free if accompanied by an adult both for match days and season tickets (send photo and details of children for free child season ticket if buying with adult).

Barry Town are also inviting applications for Manager of Barry Town’s Reserve team. Interested parties should contact the Club on 725858.

Stuart Lovering, Chairman

2 August 2007

BARRY TOWN'S NEW MANAGER

Barry Town are pleased to announce the appointment of GAVIN CHESTERFIELD as the new first team Manager. Gavin is Head of Sports Coaching and Academy Football Coach at Hartbury College, one of the most prestigious sporting universities in the UK.

With a Masters degree in Coaching Science and a UEFA ‘B’ Licence, Gavin led Hartbury College to national champions this year after beating Team Bath 1-0 in the final at Loftus Road. He is also a member of the International Council for Coach Education. As National Team Manager of Welsh Universities between 2001-04, Gavin led Wales to Home Nations Champions in 2004. The same year, Gavin was appointed British University select team Coach.

Gavin was first team coach at First Division UWIC Cardiff 2002-05, consistently achieving top four finishes in the League and enjoying impressive runs in the Welsh Cup and League Cup. Cardiff-based Gavin was a professional player at Exeter City for three years in Division Three of the English League and has also played for Merthyr Tydfil and Llanelli.

(Phil Clay has had to withdraw due to being accepted on a work-related degree course starting in September).

Gavin is extremely ambitious for Barry Town wanting to take the Club back into the Premiership and Europe and will focus on developing players to their full potential working with Barry Town’s well qualified coaches in the Academy. Mike Coslett, Director, has welcomed the appointment and has offered his full support to Gavin.

http://barrytownfc.com

30 May 2007

Press Release

Barry Town v Maesteg Park, Jenner Park, Saturday 27 January 2007, 2.00pm.

Zak Misbah returns from suspension this Saturday when Barry Town play host to fourth-placed Maesteg Park at Jenner Park, kick-off 2.00pm. For the Town’s last match two weeks ago, lost 3-1 home to Dinas Powys, half the team were missing due to suspensions or injuries. 

However, Manager Gavin Price can call on a full squad for Saturday with defender Matthew Driscoll, midfielders Leon Jeanne, Nathan Cadette and Ali Kiyaga and striker Zak Misbah fit and raring to make it four wins out of five for the Town.

Barry Town only have six home games left this season but still have twelve to play away so it is vital that the Dragons try and pick up maximum points at Jenner Park. Last Saturday, results went the Town’s way again with Grange Quins losing and two others towards the bottom drawing at home. There are now five teams at the bottom with only one point separating them.

Club Captain Lee Piotrowski, from Cadoxton, is temporarily unavailable for a few weeks as he is an electrician working seven days a week to finish the new Wembley and has been offered ‘stupid’ money to help complete the stadium.

Pictured: Jeff MacLean

Jeff MacLean is the new Captain. Jeff, playing as sweeper, was one of the former full-time professionals at Barry Town and has returned because he just loves playing for the Town. MacLean also had a spell at Bolton Wanderers and played in Scotland for a couple of years for Queen of the South.

Stuart Lovering, Chairman

Saturday 23 December 2006 

Barry Town 2 – 0 Caerleon 

Barry Town are home again at Jenner Park on Saturday, Jan 6th, kick off 2.00pm against local rivals Dinas Powys, having enjoyed an unbeaten December.

With three wins in a row and a draw at the start of the month, Barry Town have climbed out of the relegation zone and are unrecognizable from the early season team.

The Town comfortably disposed of Caerleon last week 2 – 0 with goals in the ninth minute from midfielder Scott Morris and another from hot-shot Zak Mizbah in the 47th minute to take his tally to 13 goals in 14 matches. Caerleon had won five in a row before their visit to Jenner Park but were no match for the Town who dominated the game, playing well within themselves.

Apart from one splendid save from keeper Dan Bradley who palmed a 25 yard strike over the bar from the corner of the penalty box, the visitors had few chances and little possession. The Town’s Craig Reddy and Scott Morris won the battle of midfield against Caerleon, the two players proving their class. Scott is a former Cwmbran Town player in the Premiership while Craig used to play for Merthyr Tydfil. Barry Town move up two places below but level on points with Pontardawe and Ely Rangers.

Despite the freezing cold conditions and pre Christmas shopping absentees, Barry Town enjoyed not just one of their biggest crowds of the season, but also one of the noisiest as the Dragons supporters are once again getting behind the team in full voice. Free mince pies in the Clubhouse after the match must also have lifted spirits!

Dinas Powys narrowly beat the Town 2-0 at the start of the season, scoring their second in the final minute as Barry pushed for an equaliser. Since then, Dinas have been in freefall while the Dragons have soared. This Saturday’s match will be an interesting test to see just how far the two teams’ fortunes have changed. The Town are also expecting another big crowd for this local derby!

Barry Town v Dinas Powys: Saturday, 6th January, kick off 2.00pm, Jenner Park. Prices: £4 adult, £2 OAP/Student/Children. Children free if accompanied by an adult.

Stuart Lovering, Chairman

BARRY TOWN FC 

PRESS RELEASE

24 MARCH 2006

BARRY TOWN FC 

PRESS RELEASE

15 NOVEMBER 2005 

"Barry Town Football Club has been put on the market for sale.

In the last few weeks, the Chairman and owner of the Club, Stuart Lovering, has been approached by a number of parties interested in buying the Club.

The media have been inadvertently been alerted to this interest. It is therefore now in the interests of Barry Town FC that if any party is interested in purchasing the Club, that any sale should take place quickly to minimise instability. Barry Town FC is therefore openly put on the market with a view to a quick sale to a responsible new owner.

Barry Town FC has been the most successful football team in the Welsh Premiership, winning countless titles and Cups over the last 20 years and has competed successfully in European competitions, including a 3-1 victory over Porto four years ago. Its success in Europe means that UEFA’s rankings put Barry Town alongside Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Napoli.

Two years ago, the Club went into Administration with debts of about £1 million. The current owner and Chairman stepped in to save the Club (which he purchased on December 10^th, 2003 following a Company Voluntary Arrangement) and is now running the Club at a profit. The Club now has no debt.

Barry Town FC includes a large Clubhouse (overlooking the Jenner Park stadium) with substantial wet sales of about £5,000 a week, plus extra revenue from machines. The clubhouse is in need of refurbishment but offers huge potential to further multiply revenue.

Barry Town is currently playing in Division 1 - the team having been relegated in the year of Administration - and is temporarily playing in Treforest pending the resolution of a dispute with the Council as how much the Club should pay to play at Jenner Park, Barry Town’s home for many decades.

Contact: Stuart Lovering. 07751 441561."

Saturday 10 September 2005

ENTO Aberaman 2 – 0 Barry Town

FAW Welsh Cup, Round One

Barry Town will be looking for a much improved performance when they return to League action this Saturday against Division One new boys Bryntirion following a disappointing 0-2 defeat against Aberaman in the Welsh Cup last week.

Although exiting the Welsh Cup is no loss to a Barry team whose overriding priority is promotion back to the Premiership, the manner of the defeat was unsatisfactory. The Barry players were called in for some forthright talking after Wednesday’s training session at Jenner Park. Players were made aware in no uncertain terms that they were playing for their places. 

Many quality players signed for Premiership teams will be becoming available over the coming weeks as they realize they cannot be guaranteed regular football. Barry Town remains one of the most attractive clubs in Wales and there will be no shortage of quality players phoning Barry Manager, Gavin Price, asking to sign for Barry.

The match on Saturday was uneventful and best forgotten. Barry created most of the better chances with ‘Owen’ Quinhare having the best opportunity in the 26^th minute. Paul Light took the ball thirty yards out of defence before making a perfectly weighted slide pass to Owen whose well composed shot was expertly saved by the Aberaman keeper. Earlier, Hemmens had a similar opportunity with a through pass from Ferguson which followed a 35 yard shot from Kiyaga that whistled past the post.

Aberaman took the lead in the 45^th minute when a shot was part saved by Barry keeper, Billy Clarke. The ball spilled fortunately to an Aberaman player who slammed it into the empty net. This followed a spell of attacking play from Barry with shots from Jeanne, Ferguson and Hemmens and a free kick from former Arsenal attacking midfielder, Leon Jeanne, that was saved by the busy Aberaman keeper. 

Aberaman extended their lead in the 60^th minute when an innocent looking free kick 35 yards out was misjudged by Barry’s keeper as it sailed over his head into the goal. Barry created plenty of chances with further shots from Jeanne, Kiyaga and Ferguson but were unable to make their chances pay.

Barry fans expect a much better performance from the players against Bryntirion this Saturday or some players will find that they have played their last game for the Town, the manager, Gavin Price, refusing to tolerate another lacklustre show. 

Barry Town’s Leon Jeanne (7) effortlessly turns an Aberaman defender

Barry players pile the pressure on Aberaman’s goal

Saturday 27 August 2005

Barry Town   3  –  5   Maesteg Park

Barry Town hit the goalscoring trail again on Saturday with another brace from Portuguese striker ‘Owen’ Ohene Na Quinhare, but were edged out in an all action thrills and spills goal-fest that left even the spectators gasping for breath!

The Dragons swept into a fourth minute lead thanks to a delightful move between Leon Jeanne and Owen. Former Arsenal and Cardiff midfielder Jeanne danced around two Maesteg players to slot a pass into the path of Owen who calmly stroked the ball past the oncoming keeper into the far corner of the net. Against the run of play, Maesteg drew level when Barry failed to clear a ball in the penalty box and it fell to a Maesteg player whose shot was almost saved by Barry’s goalkeeper, Billy Clarke. Undaunted, Barry continued their assault on the Maesteg goal. Owen hit a powerful header just over the bar whilst a minute later Jeanne cut inside two defenders but saw his shot rifle agonisingly past the Maesteg post. In the 22^nd minute, the away side took the lead when Barry failed to deal with a Maesteg corner which was flicked on to another striker whose header from six yards went in off the post.

Barry Town drew level just a minute later, though, when a long ball downfield was feebly chested by a Maesteg defender towards his keeper, only for Owen to steal in and coolly slot it between the advancing keeper’s legs. Barry piled on the pressure for the best move of the match when  seven or eight passes between the Barry midfield  culminated in an Anthony Ferguson header that cruelly passed just wide of the Maesteg post. 

The second half began with Barry launching attack after attack. Hemmens came close when he charged down a defender, Owen had a blistering shot saved by the keeper, Ferguson followed with a power shot that smacked against the Maesteg upright and a Ferguson cross across the box went unchallenged.

In the 58^th minute, Maesteg were wrongly awarded a penalty following an innocuous challenge for a header. Justice was done when Maesteg blasted the ball over the bar and out of the ground!

Following a tactical substitution of a Barry defender by another defender (making his debut after injury), Barry suddenly lost their defensive cohesion and a mad three minutes saw Maesteg take advantage by sneaking two goals from nowhere.

Barry responded magnificently laying siege to the Maesteg goal. A Christian Churcher shot was saved by the keeper, a Ferguson shot went wide of the post and a Leigh Vick half-volley was saved for a corner from which a Jeanne shot went narrowly wide. In the 85^th minute, finally got the goal they deserved when Gareth Hemmens started and finished a move that showed true grit. Winning the ball up field, Hemmens played a one two with Ali Kiyaga and struck the return sweetly past the diving keeper to make it 3-4.

With Barry pushing men forward to try and grab the equaliser, a defensive header to a Maesteg player was cruelly punished when he lobbed the Barry keeper.

Barry Town had only conceded three goals all season but on an afternoon when their strikers should have won the day, some uncharacteristic sloppy defending handed the match to Maesteg. Barry have now proven in their opening five games that they can defend tightly and score plenty of goals - Barry Town fans can sense that it is only a matter of time before this new side clicks and punishes opponents with their undoubted talents. 

Barry Town’s Leon Jeanne (10) taunts three Maesteg defenders as Owen looks on.

Tuesday 16 August 2005

Dinas Powys 1 – 0 Barry Town  

Barry Town cruelly went down to a 1-0 defeat by a physical Dinas Powys side that managed to nullify the Dragon’s flair. Barry started brightly with a fifth minute passing move between Leon Jeanne and 18 year old Chris Churcher in the right corner resulting in a delightful cross from the youngster that should have been punished by a more decisive header from Barry’s strikers queuing in the penalty area. 

Dinas took the lead in the 35^th minute when Liam Jones headed in a close range cross from Nathan Osgood. Barry almost immediately equalised when an Ali Kiyaga 30 yard shot was spectacularly stopped by former Barry keeper, Richard Johnson, who dived to his left but saved with his feet.

Barry Town came close twice in the closing stages of the first half with two long range shots from 35 yards, first from Kiyaga and then from Anthony Redwood - both attempts narrowly passing the Dinas post. 

The Barry players received a rollicking from Manager, Gavin Price, at half time and came out with clearer intent in the second half. The famous yellow shirts kicked off the second half by snatching possession from Dinas and strung together a fluent passing move with seven or eight touches just lacking the final product.

As the match wore on, Dinas players began to tire and suffer cramp, allowing Barry to dominate and create a hatful of chances. In the 60^th minute an Anthony Ferguson free kick drifted agonisingly past the corner of the Dinas goal. In the last ten minutes, Barry should have snatched a victory with three clear chances falling to the Dragons Portuguese striker Ohene Na Quinhare ‘Owen’ who was desperately unlucky not to get on the score sheet after his brace against Bridgend in Barry’s 3-1 victory at the weekend. In the 84^th minute, Johnson saved from Owen’s one on one stab towards goal. A few minutes later, Owen’s header from a Jason Lukins cross fell too weakly towards the open goal allowing the Dinas keeper to scramble the ball away on the line. In extra time, Owen’s shot from a Redwood corner ran just outside the Dinas’ post to deny Barry at the very least a well deserved point.

Barry Town are among the favourites for promotion this year and will expect to bounce back on Saturday at Bettws who suffered a 6-0 defeat against newly promoted Bryntirion.

Barry Town striker Ohene Na Quinhare ‘Owen’

Match Preview - Monday 15 August 2005

Saturday 13 August 2005

Barry Town 3 – 1 Bridgend Town

Barry Town sit proudly at the top of the table today after a stunning brace from Barry’s new Portuguese striker ‘Owen’ blew away an outclassed Bridgend.

In stormy weather conditions, 18 year old debutant Chris Churcher scorched Barry into a second minute lead after ending some scrappy defending in the penalty area with a lethal strike from just inside the box.

Bridgend responded by playing the better football for the next twenty minutes albeit scoring a fortunate equaliser in the 16^th minute from Barry’s Man of the Match Paul Light’s defensive clearance. The kick out rebounded off a Bridgend player and fell to Scott Lanyon who cleanly struck the ball past a helpless Billy Clarke’s into the top left of his goal.

With both teams attempting to play good passing football in wintry conditions, Barry came closest to scoring a second when Ali Kiyaga went one on one with the Bridgend keeper only to see his shop superbly palmed over the crossbar.

Barry’s tactical change at half-time saw Owen (Ohene Na Quinhare) replace fellow Portuguese midfielder Sano Mamadu – known as Maxi or Figo – with devastating results. Owen’s strength in keeping the ball up front enabled Barry to build attack after attack and his immediate understanding with Leon Jeanne thrilled the crowd with their interplay.

Owen’s magic turned the game decisively in the 55^th minute for Barry to retake the lead. Collecting an Anthony Ferguson side-pass, Owen ran at the defender, beating him with some dazzling footwork. With just the keeper between him and the goal, the Lisbon striker feigned to move to the right, seducing the keeper to dive prematurely to his left for Owen to nonchalantly stroke the ball past the prostrate keeper collapsed in the mud.

Barry ended the match as a contest in the 74^th minute when an Anthony Redwood (son of former Barry player Derek) corner was flicked on by Loco for Owen to shoot into the bottom right corner, sending the Barry fans home with a warm glow and every reason to be confident about the coming season’s campaign. The match was exciting from start to finish and signalled Barry’s ambitions to return to the Premiership at the earliest opportunity.

Barry Manager, Gavin Price, announced that he was very encouraged by his team’s performance but cautioned that the new squad still needed time to gel. This result against an experienced Bridgend Town team that challenged for promotion last year is bound to cause selection headaches for all the right reasons. Central playmaker Leigh Vick is set to rejoin the Barry Town squad for Tuesday evening’s derby at Dinas Powys while defenders Danny Kinsey and Jordan Price and midfielder Matthew Ramadan will be eager to recover from injury as soon as possible.