Barry meet Caernarfon Town in the final of the League Cup, which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 3rd.
The new edition of UEFA newsletter, 'Euroflash, announces that seedings will be based on the total number of points accrued by a club in the previous five years, rather than an aggregate of the co-efficient, as under the old system.
This looks set to benefit Barry, who have six points from European participation, all gained in the UEFA Cup run of 1996-97.
Barry look likely to have more points than any club who has not competed in Europe in this period (since 1994/95) and those who have had little success.
A black spot on the horizon is that UEFA plan to change the points system for those clubs in the qualifying rounds of the two competitions, taking the points for a win from 2 down to 1, and 0.5 points for a draw, as opposed to 1.
This will begin in the 2000/2001 season, and will be retroactive. If Barry fail to gain any further points next season, they will move from 6 to 3.5.
After last Wednesday's European Champions League semi-final results, there will be no Slovenian or Israeli side in the first qualifying round.
This means that Carmarthen Town will have to win the Welsh Cup in order to compete in Europe this coming season. Victory for the West Walians on May 9th at Ninian Park, Cardiff, would also mean a place in next season's FAW Premier Cup competition.
Tomorrow's games are the final official fixtured games of the season, with the following week being used to play any previously postponed games.
Connah's Quay will be at home to Cwmbran on Tuesday and to Newtown on Thursday, while the weekend of 1 May, will see Cwmbran entertain Bangor in a potentially important match for the South Walian side, who are looking for third place in the LoW, while Carmarthen play Newtown and relegated Holywell Town meet Haverfordwest County.
37-year old Bloom, a former Welsh League player, has been banned from Jenner Park for the past two seasons, but won the award for his work on David Sullivan's supposed attempts to buy Cardiff City, and revealing interviews with young Welsh starlets Craig Bellamy and John Hartson.
Previous winners of the award include former Wales on Sunday rugby writer, Hamish Stuart.
The two clubs play outside the Welsh pyramid system and took the FAW to court in 1995 to maintain their status in the sixth and seventh divisions of English football.
However, the BBC have signed a three-year contract with another English non-league side, Merthyr Tydfil, irrespective of the positions of the other clubs.
Inter's trademark solid defence was combined with good goalkeeping and poor finishing as the Cardiff side threatened not only to hold Barry to a draw, but to snatch a win.
Inter forward, and former Barry player, Simon Dyer, spurned the two best chances of the match - Dave Wells making a great save on one occasion in a one-on-one chance and Dyer attempting to chip the Barry keeper and going wide on another.
Although holding the majority of possession, Barry's first half performance saw little cutting edge movement up front, and Inter comfortably held the Dragons at bay.
The change in the game came with the substitution of Gary Barnett for Justin Perry, with the big man becoming quickly involved.
As Inter tired, Barry could have hit several goals, with chances falling to several different players. Mark Dempsey saw one effort excellently saved by Gary Wager and another hit the inside of the post, while Richard Jones also had a shot come back off the post, and a looping cross-shot from Danny Carter bounced off the bar.
However, with twelve minutes remaining, Barry took the lead.
There was nothing spectacular about the goal, which came from good Barry movement in the box, Danny Carter heading down for Justin Perry to trap the ball before sending it past Wager.
With the bit between their teeth, Barry quickly increased their lead. A Mark Dempsey cross from the right was met by Danny Carter, who ran in front of his marker and flicked the header past Wager.
Holding the cushion of a two goal lead, Barry stepped back, but Inter were unable to find the crucial away goal that would have made their task far easier back at the Cardiff Athletic Stadium.
Barry's Danny Carter was named Man of the Match by BBC commentator, Ian Walsh.
The victory leaves Barry favourites to reach the televised Premier Cup final on Sunday, May 23rd, against either Wrexham or Cardiff City.
The first leg of their semi-final will be played next Tuesday, as will the second leg of the Barry match. Kick-off is at 7:15p.m.
The club were forced to provide more than 20 stewards and a further half-a-dozen police officers for a relatively small crowd for a match at which there has never been any crowd trouble.
Barry fans were blocked from walking in their traditional route around the ground and prevented from standing at the match. Instead, supporters were forced to make a ten-minute walk in torrential rain to reach the other side of the ground so that they could sit in their usual seats.
The Public Safety Officer, who was present at the match last night, faced several complaints in person, but refused to justify his actions to supporters.
Barry have played Inter Cabletel on two occasions in the past fortnight with no reported crowd trouble, and Inter were present for the Welsh Cup semi-final last weekend - again with no crowd trouble.
Barry Athletic play Ragged School on Saturday at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli in the final of the FAW Trophy, a cup which was won by the Town's senior club in 1994.
Barry Athletic, who play in the South Wales Amateur League, beat another Amateur League side, British Steel, to reach the final.
Meanwhile, Barry Town Ladies meet Newport Strikers at Bridge Meadow, Haverfordwest for the Welsh Ladies Cup final on Sunday.
Barry are the current holders of the Welsh Cup, after a victory over Bangor City at Rhayader in last year's final.
They reached the final after defeating local rivals Cardiff County in the semi-final.
The West Walian side need only a point in their away match at UWIC next Saturday to ensure their return to the League of Wales, of which they were founder members in 1992.
Alternatively, should AFC Rhondda drop a point in any of their seven remaining matches, then Llanelli will automatically take the step up to the LoW.
Rhondda Valley club, Ton Pentre, were crowned champions of the CC Sports Welsh League First Division, the South Wales feeder league, on Saturday, but having failed to apply for promotion, second placed Llanelli look likely to go up in their place.
Holywell have been relegated from the League of Wales to the Cymru Alliance, while the Alliance Champions, Flexys Cefn Druids are promoted to the League of Wales.
Inter took a 2-0 first half lead, with goals from Steve Mardenborough and Simon Dyer, with the first going between Cwmbran keeper, Pat O'Hagan's legs, and Dyer being played onside for the second.
Cwmbran pulled a goal back after the break, through Neil O'Brien, but Inter went 3-1 ahead through Simon Dyer, who again beat the offside trap. A spectacular goal from Mattie Davies made it 3-2, before Neil O'Brien scored again to make it three apiece.
Inter then salvaged a victory when Samir Misbah shoved off a challenge, went past Pat O'Hagan and slotted the ball home - to which Cwmbran had no real response, and Inter went through 4-3.
A good and exciting game, if not the best advert for the League of Wales.
In the other Welsh Cup semi-final, Carmarthen Town beat Conwy United 1-0 at Latham Park, scoring through Ryan Nicholls in the 11th minute.
Total Network Solutions won 3-2 away at Connah's Quay, while Haverfordwest drew 1-1 with Caersws.
Caernarfon ensured their place in the FAW Premier Cup next season with a 2-0 win over Rhayader today.
Dempsey joined Barry from Shrewsbury last Summer, and became a favourite with fans of all ages, including the supporters' club junior section, whose vote saw him as winner.
However, Dempsey has been reported in an Irish newspaper as saying that he would like to return to his native Dublin.
One of the clubs interested in the former under-21 cap is Bohemians, whose new coach, former Barry boss, John Lewis, watched Dempsey in action against Inter Cabletel last Tuesday.
The winner of that tie will meet the winner of the matches between the representatives of Finland and Estonia, with the first leg away on the weekend of July 3/4, and the return taking place the following weekend.
The winner of that second round tie will then meet the English representatives in the third round.
If the appeal fails, then Wager will miss Inter's crucial final League of Wales match and the Welsh Cup final, should his side win on Saturday against Cwmbran Town.
The final looks set to be played at a neutral mid-Walian ground, following the failure of last season's final at Bangor City.
This will be Caernarfon's first appearance in a Gilbert Cup final, having twice lost at the semi-final stage.
In tonight's only game, fourth placed Cwmbran Town defeated third placed Aberystwyth Town 1-0.
That leaves Inter Cabletel in second with 60 points from 31 matches, Aberystwyth in third with 56 points from 31 and Cwmbran in fourth with 54 from 29.
Inter and Aber have only one apiece remaining, and Cwmbran three.
The major talking point of the game was the sending off of Inter goalkeeper Gary Wager after 17 minutes for deliberate handball outside the penalty area. The decision of Phil Southall left Inter with only 10 men for 70 minutes of the game and Paul Evans in goal for the Cardiff side.
Inter had been in trouble from the first minute, when Steve Mardenborough had been booked for a dangerously late tackle in the first minute, but it took some time for Barry to establish their credentials as League of Wales champions and Gilbert Cup holders.
Barry opened their account on 41 minutes, when Richard Jones shrugged off a challenge in order to turn and hammer the ball past Paul Evans.
Barry went close to increasing their lead a minute later when Mark Dempsey shot from 25 yards only for Evans to pull off a spectacular diving save.
However, after the break the ten men visiting side came back into the game.
Former Barry player, Samir Misbah, was awarded a free-kick, which Steve Mardenborough curled beautifully into the top corner, making it 1-1 just six minutes after the break.
Barry pulled their way back into the game, with Justin Perry and Chris Pridham entering the fray.
Barry's second goal came in the 75th minute, when Mark Dempsey's shot was parried by Paul Evans. However, Justin Perry was following up, and he maintained his record of scoring in every Gilbert Cup match by chipping Evans.
As time ticked by, Barry took charge and an attack from the left saw the ball crossed to the right, where Terry Evans found himself in space and buried the ball past namesake Paul.
Eventually, Barry earnt their place in a third Gilbert Cup final, and gave themselves the advantage of a second successive win against Inter, prior to the two FAW Premier Cup semi-finals.
Connah's Quay's match against Newtown was postponed.
The Cardiff side won 3-0, with Simon Dyer scoring a hat-trick.
That takes them to 60 points, four points ahead of third placed Aberystwyth, who have a game in hand.
Inter have only one LoW game left to play - against strugglers Rhyl at home, and can reach 63 points.
Aberystwyth, currently on 56, can reach 62 points, with matches remaining against fourth placed Cwmbran Town (Wed, h) and Barry Town (Sat, 24, h).
Cwmbran can also still get there, despite currently being nine points adrift of Inter. They have four matches remaining, including Aberystwyth on Wednesday, and can reach 63 points.
At the bottom, Holywell need to win both of their remaining matches to stay up, which also involves hoping that Rhyl lose all three of their unplayed matches.
Flexys Cefn Druids and Llanelli now look certain to be stepping up to the LoW, with Cefn Druids now promoted and Llanelli waiting until their match with Ton Pentre on Wednesday to effectively confirm their place in next season's 18-team League of Wales.
Barry played fluent football for the first twenty minutes, with Jody Jenkins finding space on the left flank, and both he and Darren Davies floating in crosses for Chris Sloan and Jonathan Jones.
However, a twentieth minutes injury to Chris Sloan forced him out of the game, and left Barry without a target man. While Sloan was being rushed to hospital with a broken collarbone, Andrew York was felled in the centre of the pitch, and was a prone figure unable to move as he was carried off with a hip injury.
The match was played as a midfield battle, with neither side looking likely to break the deadlock, despite Barry creating the better of the chances, Jody Jenkins' 35th minute shot drifting wide of the goal and Chris Sloan's height having caused difficulties for the Haverfordwest defence prior to his early departure.
Sloan was replaced by Justin Perry, while Andrew York's place was taken by Danny Carter, who slotted into midfield while Paul Mitchell moved back into defence.
It was Perry who missed the best chance of the game, five minutes into the second half. Good work from Mark Dempsey fed Jonathan Jones, who slid the ball across the box to an unmarked Perry, who attempted to spectacularly smash the ball home and instead fired wide.
Perry himself was forced off with half an hour remaining, having suffered a number of late tackles, and being caught from behind. He was replaced by Gary Barnett.
Barry were down to ten men at one point, as Dempsey was sidelined for treatment for five minutes, after another late tackle left him on the floor. The defender was subsequently booked for throwing the ball at him.
However, it was the home side who were down to ten men for the rest of the game, as central midfielder John Jones was sent off for a second yellow card offence. At the behest of the linesman, he had been booked in the first half after following through in a tackle on Jody Jenkins, and received a second card for elbowing Gary Barnett in the face.
By this time, though, Barry had been knocked out of their stride, and, despite their numerical deficiency, Haverfordwest took more control of the game, despite rarely threatening Dave Wells, who returned from injury, and appeared to be the only fit Barry player leaving the pitch at the welcome conclusion to the 90 minutes.
Although Tuesday's game will be likely to take second place to the following Premier Cup matches against Inter Cabletel, Barry will no doubt be hoping to nurse as many players back to fitness as possible, and have more than the bare eleven as they play the second placed club in the second of the four April encounters.
Aberystwyth moved to 56 points, one behind Inter with the same number of games played, after a 2-1 home victory over Rhyl. Carl Mainwaring and Steven Williams scored the Aber goals.
Meanwhile, in Gwent, Cwmbran defeated Newtown 3-0, with two goals coming from Chris Summers before his second half sending off. The final goal came from Mattie Davies. Cwmbran have 51 points, but have two games in hand, which, if they win, could level them with Inter Cabletel.
The important match is their visit to Aberystwyth on Wednesday evening, which is sure to be watched by a huge crowd at the mid-Wales venue, and may determine this year's European placings.
Afan Lido's 2-0 home victory over Holywell would appear to seal the fate of the Deeside club, who have only 15 points from 30 games. The Wellmen are five points adrift of Rhyl, who have a game in hand. To survive in the LoW, Holywell need to win both matches and hope that Rhyl lose all three.
Carmarthen moved up the table with a 2-1 home victory over Conwy United, while Caersws defeated Caernarfon Town 3-2.
Rhayader ensured safety from the drop with a 2-0 home win over Connah's Quay Nomads, who still have seven matches to play before May 1.
Barry entertain Inter on Tuesday at Jenner Park, with the home side having won two of their three previous Gilbert Cup semi-finals, and with the psychological advantage of last week's League of Wales victory.
On Wednesday, three times finalists Bangor City travel to local rivals, Caernarfon Town in the North Wales semi-final. Caernarfon lost out to Bangor at this stage last season, but defeated their City rivals 1-0 in the League of Wales last week.
Following traditional pattern, the game was hard fought and close, with a one-goal victory for Barry, as in all bar one League of Wales Easter derby.
Barry rested several players in what, for the Dragons, was a training session, having already clinched the League of Wales title last week.
However, despite missing players of the stature of Barnett, York, Carter, Dempsey and Wells, Barry had done their homework, noting Inter's fragility from high set-pieces. Barry played on this, with a series of high crosses and long throw-ins into the box causing panic amongst the Inter defence.
It was that which led to Barry taking the lead in the 21st minute. Inter failed to clear their lines, and Richard Jones half-volleyed home from just inside the penalty area.
Inter equalised after 55 minutes, when Terry Evans gave the ball away to namesake Paul, with the former Barry player supplying another former Barry striker, Simon Dyer, with a back-heel which found its way past Barry 'keeper, John Roberts.
As time ticked by, both sides maintained their balance, until Barry scored the winning goal with 14 minutes to go. A cross from the right saw Chris Sloan avoid the attentions of his marker and after feinting as if to hammer the ball home, he failed to make proper contact and the ball trickled over the line, to the dismay of Inter keeper, Gary Wager, whose despairing dive could do no more than push the ball into the net.
Inter, needing a point to maintain their push for Europe, moved players up to put more pressure on the Barry defence, but very nearly came unstuck, as Jonathan Jones beat the offside trap, only to hesitate on the edge of the box, and tackled by a returning defender.
A draw may have been a fairer side, but Inter lacked the urgency to again come back into the game, and Barry took all three points and the psychological edge prior to next Tuesday's Gilbert League of Wales Cup semi-final, and the two FAW Premier Cup semi-final games.
Elsewhere, Aberystwyth strengthened their claim to a European spot, hammering Haverfordwest 6-2 at Bridge Meadow, while also in the goals were Connah's Quay Nomads who effectively sealed the fate of their Deeside rivals, Holywell Town. Holywell, who lost 4-2 today, are five points adrift at the bottom of the table, and need to win two of their final three matches, and hope that Rhyl fail to win a game, to avoid relegation.
The derby in North West Wales saw Caernarfon defeat Bangor City 1-0 at the Oval, while the mid-Wales derby between Caersws and Newtown ended in a 1-1 draw.
Other derby matches saw Rhayader draw 0-0 with Total Network Solutions, while Afan Lido drew 1-1 at home with Carmarthen Town and Conwy defeat Rhyl 3-0 at Belle Vue.
Second placed Inter Cabletel were convincingly beaten 2-0 by bogey team, Newtown, with Jason Yates scoring after 9 and 56 minutes for the mid-Walian side.
Inter need to win two of their final three LoW matches to ensure second place.
Third placed Cwmbran were leapfrogged by Aberystwyth, after Cwmbran were again hammered at home. Today, they lost 4-0 at home, to Total Network Solutions, the mid-Wales side having raced into a 3-0 half-time lead.
Meanwhile, Aberystwyth beat bottom side, Holywell Town, 6-3, at Halkyn Road, having led 4-2 at half-time.
Cwmbran are now a point behind Aber, but with a game in hand. The European placing of both sides may be dependant on their forthcoming meeting.
Holywell are five points adrift at the bottom, and will need to win at least two of their final four matches to avoid the drop.
Bangor dropped to eleventh after a home defeat to Afan Lido at Farrar Road. The Port Talbot side moved up to 13th.
Rhyl lost at home to Carmarthen Town, who moved to 10th above Bangor City.
Conwy drew 1-1 at home to Rhayader, the mid-Walian visitors having taken the lead.
Although many ideas are still at the drawing-board stage, they are hoping to announce these across the Summer months.
Also on the table is the suggestion that S4C football programme, 'Gol!', which screens League of Wales highlights and comment, may be subtitled into English in future.
Tomorrow's League of Wales features an otherwise full round of fixtures, with Barry not playing as a result of there being only 17 sides in the League of Wales.
Barry's next match is at Inter Cabletel on Tuesday evening, in the League of Wales.
Despite an attempt to create news, there appears to be little new information revealed.
Two of those, Chris Sloan and John Jones, made their debuts on Tuesday in the title clinching match against Carmarthen.
The third player is 19-year old David Broadbent, a Barry-based player who has been on Newcastle United's books for the past few years.
That will also be the date for drawing the preliminary round for the new-look UEFA Cup.
The Inter-Toto Cup will be drawn on Thursday, April 15th.
Last year's winner was Danny Carter, who also won the Supporters' Club Player of the Year.
As yet, there is no date for the Supporters' Club presentation, which will be held in the Football Club on Barry Road.
That begins on Tuesday, when Barry travel to Cardiff for a League of Wales match.
Barry travel to Haverfordwest on Saturday, 10th April, before entertaining Inter in the Gilbert League of Wales Cup semi-final on Tuesday, 13th April.
Barry aren't in action on the 17th, but are again home to Inter on the 20th April. That match, in the FAW Premier Cup semi-final first leg, will be an early kick-off and shown live on BBC Wales Two.
Barry finish their League of Wales season with a trip to Aberystwyth on Saturday, 24th April, before the second leg of the FAW Premier Cup game away at Inter on Tuesday, 27th April.
The final of the FAW Premier Cup is on Sunday, 23rd May, and will be screened live on BBC Wales Two.
There is no present date for the Gilbert League of Wales Cup final.
Inter will be visiting Jenner Park three times in that week!
The other semi-final takes place at Latham Park, Newtown between Carmarthen Town and Cowny United.
The matches will be played with extra-time and penalty kicks if necessary.
Links to other sites on the Web
Barry Town homepage
Barry Town results 1998-99
LoW results 1998-99
What the Papers Say index
Barry Town Matchday Magazine index
March News, 1999.
This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
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