Thirty years ago, Jenner Park witnessed one of the most memorable European nights in Barry Town United history.
On 20 August 1996, Barry welcomed Hungarian side Budapest Vasutas to South Wales for the second leg of their UEFA Cup qualifying round tie.
Trailing 3-1 from the first leg in Hungary, the Town faced an enormous challenge if they were to keep their European adventure alive.
What followed was a night that would go down in Barry Town folklore.
An Uphill Battle
Barry returned to Jenner Park knowing they needed something special.
A capacity crowd of around 2,500 supporters packed into the ground, hoping to witness a famous European comeback.
Player-coach Garry Barnett helped drive the Town forward from the opening stages as Barry searched for the goals they desperately needed.
The breakthrough finally arrived on the stroke of half-time.
Former Cardiff City striker Chris Pike stepped up from the penalty spot after Tony Bird had been brought down inside the area and made no mistake, giving Barry a 1-0 lead on the night and bringing the tie firmly back to life.
If the first goal gave the Town hope, the start of the second half sent Jenner Park into dreamland.
Just a minute after the restart, Pike turned provider. He raced down the right before delivering the ball into the path of Dave O’Gorman, who fired home at the far post.
2-0 Barry.
Suddenly, the Town were in front in the tie on away goals.
The visitors responded, however, and Gabor Egressy scored in the 63rd minute to change the complexion of the contest once again.
Budapest Vasutas now led 4-3 on aggregate, leaving Barry needing another goal to stay alive.
But the Town weren’t finished.
Evans Sends Jenner Park Wild
With 78 minutes on the clock, goalkeeper Pat Mountain, deputising for the suspended Mark Ovendale, launched the ball forward.
Pike flicked it on and substitute Craig Evans raced through before firing into the net.
3-1 Barry. 4-4 on aggregate.
Jenner Park erupted.
After 180 minutes, the two sides could not be separated and the tie headed into extra time.
Barry survived a late push from the Hungarian league runners-up and, after neither side could find the decisive goal, the tie would be settled from the penalty spot.
History From 12 Yards
After producing a remarkable comeback just to keep themselves in the competition, Barry still had one final hurdle to overcome.
The Town held their nerve.
Barry converted four penalties, while Jorge Bognar and Zoltan Bukszegi failed to convert for the visitors.
The comeback was complete.
Barry Town had knocked Budapest Vasutas out of the UEFA Cup.
A team from the League of Wales had overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit against the Hungarian runners-up and produced one of the greatest European results in the club’s history.
The following day’s Irish Times described Barry as being the “toast of Wales”, while its headline declared the victory “Barry Town enjoys its finest hour.”
30 Years On
Three decades later, the story of that night remains part of the fabric of Jenner Park.
From Pike’s first-half penalty to O’Gorman’s strike, Evans’ dramatic equaliser and the tension of the penalty shootout, it was a European night that had everything.
For the 2,500 supporters packed inside Jenner Park, it was a night to remember.
For Barry Town, it was a night that helped establish the club’s reputation on the European stage during one of the greatest periods in its history.
20 August 1996.
Barry Town 3-1 Budapest Vasutas (4-4 on aggregate).
Barry Town win on penalties.
Thirty years on, one of Jenner Park’s greatest European nights will never be forgotten.