o40s Play-Off Final

A fast and competitive 'Play-off' match between Barry Town and Ferndale & District, saw the latter run out 2-1 winners at Leckwith on Sunday 13th March.

Ferndale started the quicker and exerted early pressure with their talisman, Craig 'Guppy' Hughes always a threat. So, when he pulled up sharply with a hamstring injury, Ferndale and their supporters feared the worst. Although the player stayed on the pitch it also seemed to spark Barry into action and they dictated the remainder of the half. Yarr struck the bar from a free kick, Baker, Ferguson and Pennikett had good efforts saved by keeper Gaspar and several other promising situations went begging. Barry would rue those missed chances as, inevitably, a lapse in the Barry rearguard allowed Hughes to 'limp' through before slipping the ball decisively past keeper Wadsworth, and give his side a 1-0 lead going into the interval.

In the second half Ferndale sat deeper and allowed their opponents to have the ball...and they comfortably soaked up any pressure. In a rare foray forward Jamie Michaels crashed the ball home from 6 yards to Ferndale, what seemed to be, an unassailable 2 nil lead. Barry manager Gee sent on Light who was immediately denied, magnificently, by Ferndale keeper Gaspar. As the game entered the latter stages both teams had opportunities BUT this was a game where goalkeepers would win out and both Wadsworth and Gaspar made superb saves to maintain the status quo. With 10 minutes remaining Gee sent on the diminutive Griffiths, who gave Barry hope with a superb headed goal....but the Rhondda Fach boys held on to take the win.

Scott Young was handed the trophy by Wales Veterans Football legend Dennis Murphy BEM (pictured), and Ferndale celebrated deep into the night!