Josie Urpani – three goals for Valletta against Barry Town in 1961.The Barry Town tourney in May 1961 came too late in the season to create much of an interest.
Before flying to Malta, the Welsh team were boosted with the presence of Wales international Colin Webster and Reg Davies, of Swansea City.
These two guests helped Barry Town to beat Sliema Wanderers 4-2, draw 2-2 with Hibernians and 3-3 with Valletta.
The visitors won the game against Sliema at a canter and the final score could have been much bigger but for some lucky escapes for Sliema.
The Welsh boasted a tough team that fought for every inch of ground and like all British teams, their shooting was deadly.
Their danger man was guest player Webster who helped himself to two of the goals. Barry Town’s other goals came from Davies and Reynolds while Joe Cini scored twice for Sliema.
Barry Town’s match against Hibernians was a big disappointment for the Maltese supporters who followed UK football. Play was well below the expected standard and the game was marred by petty fouls and hackling.
At half-time, the scoresheet was still blank but in the second period Jimmy Mizzi and Charlie Schembri scored for Hibernians and Reynolds and Dolman replied for Barry Town.
Up to a few minutes from the end of the game, Hibs led 2-1 but, after a melee in front of their goal, Dolman scored the equaliser.
The game against Valletta was the best of the tourney. It was a thrilling affair which remained open to any result up to the final whistle.
Valletta made the early running but their forwards looked hesitant and undecided in front of goal.
Mario Azzopardi missed an excellent chance of opening the scoring and Charlie Chircop saw his shot, from an excellent position, parried away by Barry Town goalkeeper Ealton.
Barry Town hit back and in their first real dangerous attack, Reynolds placed the ball perfectly in the corner of the net from a free-kick.
Valletta reacted and seconds before half-time, Hughes cleared a powerful header from Azzopardi off the line.
Barry Town again made an instant reaction and when Gully slid the ball to Reynolds, the latter put in a low cross for Clapton to tap in past keeper Tommy Taylor.
The game sparked into life in the second half when Josie Urpani hit in a hard left-footed shot into the net off the upright.
The Citizens, ably prompted by Frankie Zammit, took control of the game and a few minutes later they scored the equaliser when Urpani finished off a superb move which involved no fewer than four players.
And it was not long before Valletta went into the lead.
Urpani completed his hat-trick when he beat goalkeeper King with a superb cross-shot.
In their next attack Valletta could have made the issue safe. Chircop presented Azzopardi with a peach of a pass but the latter mishit his shot.
Valletta seemed coasting home to a famous victory. However, in a quick counter-attack Davies headed in the equaliser.
Valletta kept pushing for the winning goal and a few minutes from time they should have scored but a timely clearance off the line by Hughes denied Chircop.