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Today’s Programme at a Glance

JD Cymru South Match Day 24

Match Reports!

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 Carmarthen, along with their players, staff and supporters. We hope you enjoy your visit and that we are in for a competitive game this afternoon.

Today we face a very strong Carmarthen side who come into this game in very good form. They are a club with a strong history, having previously competed in the Welsh Premier League, and they still have a number of players in their squad with experience at that level. That quality and experience makes them a very difficult side to play against and we know we will need to be at our very best to compete.

The past week has been a demanding one for us with two tough away fixtures in a short space of time. Last Wednesday we travelled to Trefelin and despite the 3–1 result, I felt the boys produced a very good performance. We went toe to toe with them for large periods of the game and showed great energy and commitment. The difference ultimately came in the final third, where they were more clinical with their chances.

Just 48 hours later we were back on the road again, this time away to Ammanford on the Friday night. I have to say it was probably the best football we have played all season. The lads were outstanding in terms of the way we moved the ball, controlled the game and created opportunities. We completely dominated large parts of the match and if you had watched the game without seeing the scoreline you would struggle to believe we came away on the losing side. Once again though, the difference was in front of goal.

Football can be a strange game at times. When you perform well but don’t get the results it can be frustrating, but the key thing for me is the level of performance the players are producing. If we continue to play with that intensity, quality and belief, I’m confident the results will turn.

Today presents another big challenge against a very good opponent, but it’s also another opportunity for us to show what we are capable of. The lads have worked extremely hard and remain fully committed, and I have a lot of belief in this group.

As always, thank you to our supporters for your continued backing. Your support means a lot to the players and staff.

We go again!

Diolch yn fawr, Nana Baah

Match Report Trefelin

Trefelin 3-1 Cardiff Draconians

Ynys Park – 4th March 2026 – Attendance: 381

Match report by Josh Thomas.

A wonderful strike from Sam Cawley wasn’t enough for Cardiff Draconians as they were beaten 3-1 by Trefelin BGC on March 4.

The Cymru South leaders opened the scoring inside the first four minutes when Declan Evans free-kick flew straight in.

However, the Dracs bounced back in superb fashion to level the scoring in the 26th minute. Cawley picked the ball up from captain Nathan Mathias’ pass and let fly an unstoppable effort from 25-yardsout and nestled into the top corner.

Moments later Marinho Manga let fly but his effort went wide before the hosts went back in front after 32 minutes through Louis Caramella-Gerrard.

But to the visitors credit, they kept going and were unfortunate not to equalise when Luke Davies’ free-kick cannoned back off the crossbar four minutes later.

With three minutes left before half-time Cardiff Draconians hit the woodwork for the second time when Harry Treharne corner stuck the bar as Trefelin held a narrow 2-1 lead at half-time.

After the break both sides had chances but it was Trefelin, who made it three in the 69th minute.

A debating counterattack saw Trefelin race up the field, and was finished by Tyler Brock to all but seal three points.

But the action didn’t end there as Manga, who had a fine game in midfield, picked up the ball on the edge of the box and took aim and forward towards goal but his strike struck the post and bounced away to safety.

But the day belonged to Trefelin as they celebrating their 14th successive league win.

Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, Lewis, Davies, Kazadi, Manga, Cawley (Wilcox 78), Mathias (C) (J.Roberts 78), S.Roberts (Samson 70), Bowen (Mallam 70), Treharne (Amin 70), Benford

Unused substitutions: Lorente, Wylie

Pics by Josh Thomas

Match Report Ammanford

Ammanford 1-0 Cardiff Draconians

Recreation Ground – 6th March 2026 – Attendance: 178 Match report by Josh Thomas.

Cardiff Draconians fell to defeat late on away at Ammanford as Alex Giardelli came off the bench to fire home a penalty in the 88th minute and give the hosts all three points on March 6.

Marinho Manga looked to have earned the Dracs a point after the midfield cancelled out Callum Thomas’ first-half opener before Giardelli popped up to score the winner from the spot two minutes from time.

The visitors arrived at the Recreation Ground less than 48 after taking on Trefelin but showed no signs of slowing down as Dan Bowen had the first opportunity of the encounter, but the forward could only fire wide.

At the other end Charlie Davies volleyed over before Gavin Jones drew Harry Johnson into a fine save.

But the hosts did break the deadlock after 30 minutes. Thomas was played in by Jones and he finished well, despite Johnson getting his hands to it.

Johnson once again got the better of Jones with another fine save just before half-time, as Ammanford went into the break 1-0 ahead.

Johnson kept out Jones again with another superb save, before, at the other end, Luke Davies saw his strike saved well by Luke Martin.

Johnson then produced an incredible save to deny Thomas his second. The Dracs number one kept out Thomas’ deflected strike by pushing the midfielder’s effort into the bar, and in doing so keep the Dracs in the game.

That save proved crucial as Nana Baah’s side levelled the scoring just after the hour through a wonderful goal from Manga.

Manga took on a coupe of players before arrowing an excellent strike into the bottom corner from outside the box via the post.

With the wind in their sails the Dracs pushed forward for a winner and found themselves unfortunate not to go in front. First Harry Treharne fired over from close range before Davies’ free-kick went off target.

The hosts then saw Chris Bell’s header cleared off the line by the firm and resolute Dracs defence, before the promotion-seeking side scored the winner in the 88th minute when Giardelli, who had only been on the pitch four minutes, scored from 12-yards to steal all three points.

Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, D.Lewis, Davies, Manga, Cawley, Mathias (C), Amin, Wylie (Kazadi 85), Bowen (J.Roberts 85), Treharne (Samson 80), Benford

Unused substitutions: Lorente, Hartrey, J.Lewis, Ball

Pics by Debbie Yanez

Match Officials

Referee Jordan Harman

1st Assistant Referee Ceri Williams

2nd Assistant Referee Brooklyn Lloyd-Meek

Harry Johnson (GK)

Harry Noaks (GK)

Luke Bridgeman (C)

Jacob Benford

Luke Davies

Dan Lewis

Efu Kazadi

Nathan Mathias

Jamal Roberts

Dylan Amin

Sam Cawley

Manager

Assistant Manager

First Team Coach

Sam Roberts

Dan Bowen

Liam Mallam

Harry Treharne

Dafydd Ball

Lewis James

Craig Wilcox

Jack Cooper

Ollie Wylie

Haben Samson

Nana Baah

Ben Hartrey

Paul Smith

Coach Darren Buttle

Goalkeeping Coach

Xabi Lorente

Physio Emma Ryan

Carmarthen Squad

Lee Idzi

John Cheaters

Luke Cummings

Noah Osbourne

Tyler Aylward

Morgan Weaver

Trystan Jones

Liam Reed

Liam Thomas

Lewis Reed

Joshua Joda

Keyon Reffell

Mason Thomas

Jamie Ricked

Tobias Jones

Lewis Harling

Joe Evans

Thomas Dyson

Manager M Aizlewood

Assistant Manager O Thomas

Goalkeeper Coach

S Lloyd

Physio M Bollin

Kit and Equipment

D Hannington

Interview with Liam

Liam Mallam has targeted being a legend with Cardiff Draconians.

The 17-year-old only signed for the Dracs last summer from Island Marine, where he scored 49 goals in 38 appearances, and is only in his second season of men’s football.

So far this campaign the forward has scored twice in 15 games in all competitions whilst also impressing with the under-21s

The high-flying teenager has been involved in 15 goals (scoring tenand assisting five) from 13 matches across the FAW National Reserve League South East and FAW National Reserve League South, as well as picking up four goals in the FAW Youth Cup in two matches.

Mallam shares with media officer Joshua Thomas shares on his time with the club so far, his aims with the club, playing with the under-21s and facing Carmarthen Town this afternoon.

JT: How have you found being at the Dracs so far?

LM: (It’s very) different and difficult, it has been a massive step up for me but it has helped me improve as a player.

JT: Being coached by the likes of Nana (Baah) Smithy (Paul Smith) and Ben (Hartrey), how do they bring the best out of your game?

LM: They are all amazing. They always work on things with me in training, always getting me to do something else, always pushing me out of my comfort zone, which really helps me develop as a player.

JT: That goal against Newport City does it make you hungry to go to get more goals?

LM: Yes, definitely. The feeling I got from that goal, I can’t get it back, so I do want to score more and try to get that feeling again. I was very ecstatic when I scored that goal.

JT: Can you describe that feeling when you scored?

LM: It was amazing, I didn’t expect it to come so soon. And to actually get it was just mind-blowing to me, coming from grassroots last year to semi-pro now is absolutely amazing for me.

JT: What is it like being around this team, it’s such a young team but have, so far, had a great season in the Cymru South, the club’s first ever at this level, what is it like to be part of it?

LM: It is very special to be a part of this team for our first year in this league. We have been a massive shock to everyone doing as well as we have.

JT: What do you think the reason is behind shocking everyone?

LM: Most teams would have expected just to roll us over, as we’ve only just come up from the league below and they’ve been established teams in this league for many years now. So, it’s been a massive shock to them, that we are we beating teams and getting points off teams when they think they shouldn’t be beaten.

JT: What is like to be part of the under-21s, how great it is minutes under your belt and develop yourself as a player by playing for this side? How have you found the under-21s season so far?

LM: It has been vital for me playing for the 21s, as I have been able to develop as a player massively while playing for them. It has kept me very motivated. So far this season we have been great winning majority of our games, but the league has just split so will be a massive challenge for us now.

JT: What have you made of the last two away games against Trefelin and Ammanford?

LM It’s been two very difficult games especially being playing them both in 48 hours, with both of them trying to get promoted this season and in great form. They were very challenging games

JT: Up next is Carmarthen, how much are you looking forward to the game and taking on another good side at home?

LM: Very excited, when we played them away it was a very close game but they did win in the end but it was very early into the season and I think we have improved massively so will be a tough game

JT: It’s not going to be an easy game is it, how are you going to approach it, especially with the last two games against Trefelin and Ammanford, which have ended in defeat, do you feel there is a point to prove?

LM: I think we need to win this game to prove that we have improved as a team from the start of the season and why we are going to stay in this league.

JT: We are now entering the final part of the season, what are your aims as a club and for yourself?

LM: For the club I think it’s to try and finish as high as we can and let teams know why we are in this league. For me I think my main aim is to keep on improving on everything and try to learn new things I could do to make me a better player. I want to make myself a good name here, and to become one of the club legends.

Pics by Josh Thomas

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