A poor game and a very disappointing Port performance. This game had the atmosphere of an end of the season affair though Barry needed a victory to keep alive their slim chance of Welsh Premier survival while Port could have improved their league position in a tightly packed mid-table with a victory.
Barry with only two victories during the season started tentatively and the home side enjoyed the better of the early stages. Indeed Port should have gone ahead after 12 mins when Lee Webber rose unchallenged to head a Dafydd Evans corner over the bar. Shortly after, a good Port build-up saw Gareth Caughter find Carl Owen on the right of the box but Lee Rudall was quickly off his line to save at Owen's feet. A minute later and this time a Rudall error gave Gareth Parry a golden opportunity from 15yds, with the keeper stranded, but his shot was cleared off the line by Dean Philpott. Port continued to enjoy the best of the play and Carl Owen and Gareth Caughter were only narrowly wide of the target.
Despite enjoying the greater share of possession the Port performance lacked conviction relying far too much on long balls to the front men and with no wide player most of their crosses were delivered from far too deep. This generally made life easy for Dean Philpott at the back for the visitors.
Gradually Barry gained in confidence and set up several attacks of their own. The experienced Mattie Davies threatened after dispossessing John Gwynfor and then a speculative effort by Picknall had to be touched round the post by McGuigan. With half-time beckoning a neat exchange of passes around the edge of the box saw Gavin Allen set up Mattie Davies. The Barry striker was about to shoot when he was pulled down from behind by John Gwynfor. Referee Lawlor pointed to the spot and Richard Kennedy drove low past McGuigan.
Barry could have gone further ahead five minutes into the second-half when Lee Webber was forced to clear a Gavin Allen header off his line. Port should have drawn level just after the hour when Lee Webber again saw his header, from a Dafydd Evans corner, fly off target. This was almost punished immediately when McGuigan had to tip a Sherman header over the bar. Port continued to create and reject chances as both Carl Owen and Lee Webber again were off target with headers. Webber made amends however when he scored from close range after Ryan Davies headed back a Mike Foster free-kick across the goal.
Port did not remain on level terms for very long as the defence failed to clear after 80 mins and the ball was whipped out to Jamie Michael wide on the left. The winger delivered a good low ball acrossthe face of the goal for Gavin Allen to touch in. Barry were back in the lead but only for two minutes as Lee Webber won the ball in midfield and sent low ball into the box. This was the kind of ball to feet which Carl Owen loves but has rarely received this season. The striker turned well in the box and drove past Rudall to level the score again.
The game ended in a draw which was just about a fair result, for though Port had the better chances their overall play did not merit the three points.
Port: Gerard McGuigan, John G. Jones, Ryan Davies, Lee Webber, Mike Foster, Gareth Caughter, Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry (Danny Hughes), Ritchie Owen, Mark Williams, Carl Owen.
Subs not used: Tony Williams, Graham Austin.
Barry:Lee Rudall, G.Picknell, M.Duckett, D.Philpott, A.Shakespeare, R.Kennedy, D.Sherman, L.Sherbon (A.Hughes), Mattie Davies, Gavin Allen (G.Elliott) J.Michael.
Report by: Gareth Williams.
