Dinas Powys beat Barry Dragons (From Penarth Times)

Dinas Powys beat Barry Dragons

DINAS POWYS 1, BARRY TOWN 0

IF THIS result wasn't exactly inevitable, then the passionate and loyal Barry Town fans certainly had their fears confirmed before kick-off.

With a playing budget of nothing - apparently going against the budget claims made when ex-manager Dave Hughes was sacked - there has been another mini-exodus of players away from Barry Town.

And with popular and vastly experienced goalkeeper Marty Ellacott leaving, and industrious midfielder Grant Thomas following him to rivals Taff's Well - joining up with the other ex-Barry players from a previous budget cut - Barry Town's support was left wondering exactly whom would take to the field in the not-so-famous yellow-green.

As it turned out, there were five debutants playing for The Dragons on Saturday, including new Barry 'keeper Damien Lack, who actually had a very good game despite the obvious first-night nerves.

Dinas Powys took their early chance in a fifth-minute goalmouth scramble, with Bettles scooping the ball into the back of the Barry net.

From then on in, it was pretty mediocre stuff from both sides.

Dinas Powys have struggled to find form all season, while Barry had to contend with yet another drastically changed and youthful line-up.

For Dinas though, lying in the bottom half of the Welsh League table, this was a major scalp, a massive boost, and a welcome three points from their nearest neighbour.

With the pressures placed on management and players alike, a 1-0 scoreline was perhaps as good as could be expected for Barry Town.

Provided Gavin Price and Ashley Griffiths don't have any other serious player comings and goings from now in, there is still time to mould a decent enough team to keep the Dragons in a respectable position in the league.

The fans certainly are not putting pressure on the team to perform beyond their capabilities, as most are just happy to see the desire and passion on the pitch as on Saturday.

Within a year of Stuart Lovering putting up the money to save the club, Barry have come from plucky basement-dwellers in the Welsh Premier earning plaudits (if not points) for passionate support and efforts on the pitch, fighting and yearning for Welsh Premier League survival, to a club with a massively diminished fan base, no sponsorship, no efforts from the club to raise much-needed funds, no budget, and now not even a ground to call their own.

Barry Town AFC no longer play their first team football in Barry. Barry Town AFC no longer play their first team football in the Vale.

With the 42,000 Jenner Park rent issue hanging round the neck of Barry like an ever-tightening noose, it's hard to feel optimistic about the club's chances for survival for the 2005-06 season.

For even that to happen, there has to be a dramatic turn-around of events.

Nevertheless, for now, the football continues.

This week Barry Town fans have the rather dubious double delight of an evening kick-off all the way down at Briton Ferry for a Welsh League clash (Friday, 7.30pm).

January will be an expensive month for Barry Town fans, as the remaining games will be either in Briton Ferry or Port Talbot, and the two Port Talbot games are separated by only four days (Friday, January 21, v Bettws, and Tuesday, January 25, v AFC Llwydcoed).

The levels of farce are heaped even higher when you understand that these last two are meant to be'home' games.