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Today’s Programme at a Glance

JD Cymru South Match Day 28

Match Report!

Player Interview

Player Q and A

Fixtures

Manager’s Message

The Squads

Player of the Match

League Table

Managers’ Message

I’d like to welcome everyone to today’s fixture and extend a warm welcome to Pontypridd, along with their players, staff and supporters. It’s always good to see them and, on a personal note, it’s also great to welcome their manager Matthew Driscoll, who has been a very good friend of mine for over 20 years. Football is full of rivalries on the pitch, but it also creates long-lasting friendships off it, and this is certainly one of those occasions.

Our last match saw us play our final away fixture of the season, travelling to Trethomas in what turned out to be an incredible game that finished 4–4. From an attacking point of view we were excellent. Going forward we caused them a lot of problems, created numerous chances and scored four good goals. On another day we might even have taken all three points.

However, while we were brilliant in attack, defensively we lacked cohesion at times and that ultimately cost us. Conceding four goals is never ideal and it’s something we know we have to improve. At times this season we have shown how good we can be going forward, but to progress as a team we need to find the right balance and become more consistent as a unit when defending.

That said, I still feel we are doing well considering the resources we have at our disposal. The lads have shown great commitment all season and continue to work extremely hard for the club. We don’t have the same level of finances as some of the teams around us, but what we do have is a group of players who care, who compete and who give everything each time they step onto the pitch. For that, they deserve a lot of credit.

Today’s game against Pontypridd will be another tough test. They are always competitive, well organised and will come here looking to put in a strong performance. I’m sure it will be an entertaining game for everyone watching.

Finally, after the match this evening we will be hosting a Race Night at the community centre starting at 7pm. It would be great to see as many of you there as possible to support the club and enjoy what should be a really good evening.

Let’s hope for a great game.

Diolch yn fawr, Nana Baah

Match Report Trethomas Bluebirds

Trethomas Bluebirds 4-4 Cardiff Draconians

CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence – 4th April 2026 – Attendance: 96

Match report by Josh Thomas.

Cardiff Draconians and Trethomas Bluebirds were both involved in a pulsating Cymru South contest, where both sides had to settle for a point after an eight-goal thriller on Saturday (April 4) at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence. The Bluebirds twice had the ball in the back of the net early on but both efforts were ruled out for offside.

The opening goal did come after 14 minutes but in favour of the Dracs through Dan Bowen. The visitor’s top scorer picked up Jamal Roberts’ lovely pass before showing great composure before arrowing the ball into the back of the net.

However, the Bluebirds equalised 10 minutes later with a well from Jack Shaw.

The visitors nearly retook the lead when Sam Cawley and Bowen had efforts cleared off the line by Alex Newman Jones.

Nana Baah’s men did go in front in the 37th minute following a great passage of play.

The move involved Crawley, Roberts and Marinho Manga, and saw the latter’s cross towards the back post headed home unmarked by Dylan Amin from a few yards out.

The Dracs lead was once again short lived as a long pass forward was excellently brought under control by Travis James, under pressure by Roberts, but the ball was inadvertently turned into his own goal by the veteran to make it 2-2 at half-time.

The visitors went in front for a third time 10 minutes after the break through Bowen.

The in-form striker slammed home from the penalty spot, after Sam Cawley was brought down by Ben Keen, to make it three goals in three games and take his season’s total to 13 goals in all competitions.

However, once again Trethomas Bluebirds hit back to equalise through Shaw three minutes later. Cawley gave the visitors the lead for a four time in the 65th minute with a superb low finish from the edge of the box.

But the hosts levelled the scores for the fourth time in the 79th minute when Shaw stepped up to send Harry Johnson the wrong way from the spot to complete his hat-trick and end a thrilling game.

Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, Davies, Kazadi (Cooper 80), Manga, Cawley (C), Mathias, Amin (Roberts 80), Bowen (Mallam 89), Treharne (Samson 89), Benford, Roberts (Lewis 69)

Unused substitutions: Noaks and Wilcox

Pics by Josh Thomas

What a game! Dracs u21’s had a great game against Ynyshir Albions Youth to draw 2-2, from 2-0 down. Amazing goals came from Greg Evans who slotted it in the corner and a CRAZY goal from 30+yards from Gruff Nichol who struck the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net.

The u21’s play their last game of this season next Sunday home at the Orange Llama Stadium, come down and give them a

@harleyincardiff

Thank You!

We don’t mention them enough but we would like to say a huge thank you to our pitch side board sponsors. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Match Officials

Referee Charlotte Carpenter

1st Assistant Referee James Sheils

2nd Assistant Referee Michelle Portelli

Harry Johnson (GK)

Sam Roberts

Harry Noaks (GK) Dan Bowen

Luke Bridgeman (C) Liam Mallam

Jacob Benford

Harry Treharne

Luke Davies Dafydd Ball

Dan Lewis

Efu Kazadi

Nathan Mathias

Jamal Roberts

Dylan Amin

Sam Cawley

Lewis James

Craig Wilcox

Jack Cooper

Ollie Wylie

Haben Samson

Manager Nana Baah

Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey

First Team Coach

Paul Smith

Coach Darren Buttle

Goalkeeping Coach

Xabi Lorente

Physio Emma Ryan

Pontypridd Squad

Mike Lewis GK

Ben Matthews GK

Evan Cadwallader

David Vincent

Liam Angel

Jack Jones

James Saddler

Josh Stephens

Ethan Wynne

Taylor Marsh

Ethan Edwards

Gareth Redstone

Eli Phipps

Jack E Jones

Dillon Sullivan

Manager M Driscoll

Coach

Goalkeeper Coach

J Harvey

B Banks

Interview with Xabi

Xabi Lorente believes Cardiff Draconians can go on to “achieve great things” in the JD Cymru South.

The Dracs are coming to an end of their first ever season in the second tier of the Welsh football league system, and have two home games left this campaign, starting with Pontypridd United this afternoon before hosting Afan Lido a week today.

And Lorente insists through “hard work and effort” Cardiff Draconians can go on to succeed in this division and build on their success they have achieved this term.

Llorente also shares with media officer Joshua Thomas last week’s draw with Trethomas Bluebirds, being part of the Dracs, his role as goalkeeping coach, working with both Harry Johnson and Harry Noaks and facing Ponty.

JT: Last weekend was an absolute thriller with Trethomas Bluebirds, where the game ended 4-4, what were your thoughts on it?

XL: Coming off a negative run, we really wanted to get the three points and return to winning ways. It wasn match, as they usually score a lot of goals at home. It was a shame about the final penalty, games in 3G are really different to what we are used to play, and the game was very open for both sides with many chances. We looking to get the win this weekend (against Pontypridd United).

JT: What is it like being part of the Dracs?

XL: I

community club, where everyone is involved and always striving to improve. All the players and staff are great people, and the people around the club are as well. I’m really happy to be here.

JT: Being a goalkeeper how much work do you have to prepare for it?

XL: Being a goalkeeper requires a lot of mental strength, both on match day and in the days leading up to it. A goalkeeper also needs specific technical and physical training to prepare for the different situations that can arise during a game. It’s a world that many people don’t really understand.

JT: What is your role with the Dracs and can you please tell me more about it?

XL: This year I’m focused on supporting both goalkeepers during training sessions and matches. I also support the team whenever needed during training.

JT: Up next is Pontypridd United, how much are you looking forward to it?

XL: Our objective is finish the league as high as possible, we will be back at home to bring a win to our people.

JT: How great is it to work with the two Harrys?

XL: They are both young goalkeepers with a lot of re always willing to keep developing and improving. Both of them have a very high level, and with consistent hard work, they can go far at this level.

JT: What has it been like being part of the club this season, so many memories and incredible moments, what has it been like to be part of it and build on what you achieved in the Ardal Southern South West last year?

XL: We’ve tried to build on the positive run we finished last year with. The start of the season may not have been ideal, but we’ve continued to believe in our style of play and in what the coaches want from the team. The results and the team’s level have shown what this squad is capable of. This is a learning year for many players who haven’t competed in this league before, and for us as a club. I’m sure that with hard work and effort, we can achieve great things in this competition.

Pics by Josh Thomas and Debbie Yanez

Feeling lucky? Then join in with our club fundraisers of the Lucky 24 Tote and the 100 club!

For £1 a tote ticket there is a weekly chance of winning our current jackpot of £3450.

Join the 100 club for £10 a month and be part of the monthly draw to win a prize of either £100, £75, £50 or £25. 100 club draw takes place the end of every month!

See a club member in the shop to find out more or buy a ticket, or message us online.

Thanks to everyone who supports us in this and good luck in the next draws.