When Barnett has played them, Barry have struggled, which was the case once again with a poor team performance against Carmarthen. They lost to Afan Lido with a weakened team, got out of jail against Caersws in the League Cup, 2-0 down with 80 minutes gone and two late goals came, only when three substitutions were made, including Eifion Williams.
Four squad players were used on Saturday against Carmarthen with Barnett, Gary Lloyd, Andrew York and Danny Carter rested. The latter three players came on as substitutes, Lloyd lasting about ten minutes, before going to hospital with a leg injury.
The facts are that Barry were left with gaping holes in the midfield, the home side were allowed to make surging runs through the spaces, and, for them, Christmas came early.
Justin Perry, once again, had a nightmare up front and Jody Jenkins was replaced by Carter just before half-time.
Without Barnett in midfield, Barry do not function as well and there is nobody to take his place.
The pitch, to be fair, was very poor and like a farmer's field, but Carmarthen on the day, wanted to win more than Barry and deserved the three points.
The early exchanges were at both ends, Williams had a couple of chances, as did Adams for the home side. Andy Dibble was called upon to make a few saved but he could do little about Rossiter's crashing drive after Ben Burrows' lay-off.
With Barry's midfield non-existent at times, the orange shirts of Carmarthen piled forward on the break giving a lot of work to Lee Barrow and Gareth Shone in central defence.
With Carter coming on, he immediately made an impact and almost fired in an equaliser, but his shot was just off target.
Five minutes into the second half, a Mark Dempsey corner was headed home by Barrow and the scores were level.
It was all systems go as Barry fired in an avalanche of shots to get the winner, but fortune favours the brave and the home goalkeeper was playing out of his skin.
When Carmarthen fought back it was their pressure which created the winner. Barry defenders could not clear the ball and Adams hit home to the delight of the home supporters.
Barrow went close with another header which was the champions' last chance but it was only their second defeat, but Barry remain four points clear at the top.
Links to other sites on the Web
Barry Town homepage
'What the Papers Say' index
Barry and District News match report - Barry Town v Caernarfon Town
Barry Gem Sports report 17.12
Barry Gem 'sponsorship' report 17.12
Barry Town results 1998-99
League of Wales results and table 1998-99
Carmarthen Town website
This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1998.
This report first published in the Barry and District News, 17.12.1998
Carmarthen Town 2 Barry Town 1, 12.12.1998, League of Wales.
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