Courtesy: Barry & District News


Barry Town United players represent Wales in landmark win at futsal championship

THE venue for Barry Town United's Nathaniel MG Cup Final showdown with The New Saints was confirmed this past week, with Cardiff’s Cyncoed Stadium set to host the showpiece encounter on Saturday, January 21, 2017 with a 5.15pm kick-off.

After a number of high-profile grounds had been linked with the televised fixture, the announcement of its staging at the home of Welsh Premier League newcomers Cardiff Met was met with a mixed reception from the Jenner Park outfit’s fervent fan base.

Nonetheless, the decision to hold the national final in the outskirts of the Welsh capital should at least allow a large number of Town supporters to travel, with ticket details to be confirmed shortly.

Barry’s clash with holders TNS, who extended their 2016-17 winning streak to 17 games on Saturday, will be the second meeting of the sides in under 12 months, after more than 1,000 fans watched the Saints come from behind at Jenner Park to win a thrilling JD Welsh Cup tie in February.

In the absence of a first team fixture on the weekend, Town pairing Chris Hugh and Tyrell Webbe were among those keeping their match fitness at a high, helping Wales to a landmark success in the first ever Home Nations Championship of futsal.

After England had kicked off the tournament at the Cardiff House of Sport with an emphatic win over their Scottish counterparts, Wales began their own campaign with a comprehensive 7 - 1 defeat of Northern Ireland, with Hugh bagging a brace and Town teammate Webbe also on target.

The following evening saw Wales run out 5 - 2 victors against the Scots, with Webbe this time scoring twice, setting up a decider with an England team who dismantled Northern Ireland hours earlier.

With Scotland seeing off the Irish to secure third position, Wales versus England was evenly-poised at one apiece when Barry’s Hugh put the hosts ahead and the Welsh would never surrender this advantage; rolling to an eventual 6 - 2 triumph and clinching the trophy with a 100 per cent winning record.

The weekend’s success was particularly timely given the Barry club’s introduction of futsal at an academy level this week, with former Wales Futsal international and current Town captain James Saddler among those at Jenner Park with the ability to provide expertise in the developing sport.

This Saturday afternoon sees the Welsh League Division One action resume (weather-permitting), with Gavin Chesterfield’s team handed a difficult trip west to former champions Goytre United.

Last weekend saw the 'Villagers' come within a whisker of knocking Welsh Premier League Connah’s Quay out of the JD Welsh Cup; holding a 2 - 1 lead into stoppage time at the Deeside Stadium, before prolific Nomads forward Les Davies netted twice at the death.

Kick-off at Glenhafod Park (three miles from Port Talbot) is set for 2pm, with Town aiming to end a disappointing spell on the road by moving into second, should results elsewhere fall in their favour.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com