Managers’ Message
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the Orange Llama Stadium.
Today marks a truly historic occasion for our club as we take to the pitch for our inaugural match in the Cymru South. This achievement is more than just a fixture on the calendar. It stands as a tribute to the tireless commitment and resilience demonstrated by our committee, players, and my management team. Without each individual’s hard work and unwavering belief, our place in this league would not have been possible.
The journey here has not been without its challenges. Preparations for the season have been less than ideal, with a whirlwind preseason schedule leaving little time for rest or reflection. Many of my players have had to balance much needed holidays with recovery from minor injuries. An unfortunate consequence of the short turnaround and relentless pace. Yet, if there’s one thing our club has shown, it’s the ability to rise above adversity. To reinforce our ambitions, we have welcomed some truly outstanding new signings. I am genuinely confident that the depth and talent in our current squad will allow us not only to compete, but also to succeed in the Cymru South.
Considerable changes have also been taking place behind the scenes. Lydstep Park is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with substantial improvements designed to benefit both our club and the wider Gabalfa community. These upgrades are a source of collective pride, symbolising our shared journey and future ambitions.
Today, we extend a sincere welcome to Ammanford, making what I believe is their first visit to the Orange Llama Stadium. While we recognise the calibre and experience they bring as a well established club, we are not here merely to participate. We are here to challenge, to compete, and to give everything for our supporters. With your energy and encouragement from the stands, our aim is to make our home ground a formidable fortress for any visitor.
Enjoy the game, stand with us, and let an exciting chapter in our club’s history.
Diolch yn fawr, Nana Baah
What a difference a year makes!
With the 24/25 season over in May we find ourselves in a whole new environment for the 25/26 season in Tier 2 of Welsh Football with the JD Cymru South!
Crowned Champions of the Ardal South West we were promoted along with East Champions, Treowen Stars and Ynyshir.
It is a monumental occasion for Cardiff Draconians attaining our highest position in Welsh football in the clubs history.
Nana Baah has added to both his coaching staff and players over the closed season with Abdoulie Ann joining us as our new fitness and conditioning coach. Players, Oscar Raisbeck and Miles Corson return, with new additions to the Dracs of Dom Anderson, Dan Bowen, Harry Noaks, Harry Treharne, Luke Evans, Liam Mallam and Lewis James. A good core of last seasons champions have been retained.
We have a lot more travelling this season with our furthest opponents being up at Aberystwyth Town, Carmarthen Town down west and over to the East with Newport City and Cwmbran Celtic. There will still be a local derby with our old rivals Caerau Ely to look forward to.
It will be an exciting but tough season with some quality clubs in the Cymru South.
Enjoy the football and the challenge of a new season in a new league.
Interview with Dan
Dan Bowen says it is time for Cardiff Draconians to make a statement in the Cymru South.
The Dracs secured a historic promotion last campaign after being crowned Ardal South West champions to secure themselves a place in tier two of Welsh football for the first time in the club’s history.
The summer signing from Taffs Well, who opened his account last Saturday when he found the back of the net at Ynyshir Albions, is targeting a top half finish.
And the striker shares with Media Officer Joshua Thomas on how much he is enjoying his time with Cardiff Draconians so far, on pre-season and facing Ammanford at the Orange Llama Stadium this afternoon.
JT: How are you finding being at the Dracs so far?
DB: It’s been good. The boys have been very welcoming. It’s been a hard pre-season, four, five weeks, getting ready for the season. So far so good.
JT: What is it like being part of this side? It’s unknown territory for the Dracs being in the Cymru South for the first time in their history. There is a lot of excitement but there must be a lot of hard work involved too.
DB: Of course, but we know we are capable. We have got the talent there. We work hard as a group. So, we need to make sure that we are consistent as we possibly can be. We need to try to stay in this league.
JT: What are your personal goals?
DB: To be fair the last two seasons I have been struggling to find the net, so, this season anywhere between 10 to 15 goals, I’ll be satisfied with. I’ve got other ideas. So, as long as I keep working hard and who knows.
JT: Having had experience in the Cymru South with Taffs Well, what kind of division are the Dracs going into, what is it like, competitive, hard?
DB: A step up from the Ardal South West to the Cymru South is a big jump even though there is one league between them. Every game is like a Cup final game. You have to be prepared, fighting on all fronts. It is tough but at the same time it’s enjoyable and I’m sure this group of lads I’m with now are more than capable of doing the job.
JT: There is a great special bunch of fans here, this community has not seen this tier of football, so what message do you want to send out?
DB: Obviously it is hard being there every week, week in, week out. We are travelling to Carmarthen Town, Aberystwyth Town, it’s a big ask but if they can please come and support us. They do play a big part. They are our 12th man.
JT: What are the aims of the club?
DB: Top half would be nice. It’s our first season in this league but we have the quality of the players, we work hard as a team, and it comes down to self-belief as well. If we know we can do it, then we’ve to prove it on the pitch.
JT: We have a bunch of forwards here, the likes of Harri Edwards, Sam Roberts, Liam Mallam. There’s a lot a competition for places isn’t there, but that can only be a good thing?
DB: 100 per cent. You can never be complacent because you start just one game doesn’t always necessarily mean you’ll start the next. So, every time I’m on the pitch I have to make sure I make a statement and do my best. I know there’s a lot of quality on the bench and who’s there to take the number nine shirt.
JT: How have you found pre-season, the schedule, a good mix of games from the likes of Cardiff Airport to Penybont?
DB: It’s been a good pre-season, training twice a week with one game and then mixing it up with two games and one training. Our first was against Penybont I believe it was, and we held to a draw. It was a good test for us. This is where the hard work is now. We are going into the season, so we have to make sure we got that right and I think we have. I think we have set our foundations strong raring to go on Saturday.
JT: This afternoon we face Ammanford, it’s going to be a historic game being the first home game of the season, at this level, it must be an exciting feeling?
DB: It is. First game of the season at home with the fans, it’s our time to make our statement in the league. We just got to be making sure we’re ready for a battle.
JT: What are your thoughts on Ammanford, it’s going to be a hard game, isn’t it?
DB: In this league you can’t underestimate anyone. You have to treat every team the same. They have their qualities, they have these gems, so we have to give them a little bit of respect and then just do our thing.
Match Officials
Referee Paul Wiseman
1st Assistant Referee Ethan Goatley
2nd Assistant Referee Kevin Bungay
Harry Johnson (GK)
Harry Noaks (GK)
Dylan Amin
Sam Cawley
Luke Bridgeman (C) Sam Roberts
Jacob Benford
Jon McMenemy
Luke Davies
Dan Lewis
Connor Graham
Efu Kazadi
Oscar Raisbeck
Marinho Manga
Nathan Mathias
Jamal Roberts
Manager
Assistant Manager
Assistant Manager
Miles Corson
Harri Edwards
Dom Anderson
Dan Bowen
Ethan Akram
Luke Evans
Liam Mallam
Harry Treharne
Lewis James
Nana Baah
Paul Smith
Ben Hartrey
Coach Darren Buttle
Goalkeeping Coach
Xabi Lorente
Fitness Coach Abdoulie Ann
Physio Emma Ryan
Ammanford Squad
Luke Martin
Josh Hutchinson
Seth Woodhouse
Babucar Sauane
Euros Griffiths
Chris Bell
Callum Humphreys
Luke Sylvester
Harri Lawson
Ceiron Davies
Reuben Jones
Adam Orme
Morgan Clarke
Manager
Coach
Sports Therapist
Callum Thomas
Matthew Delaney
Matthew Fisher
Jonny Invernizzi
Ceri Parry
Jacob Protheroe
Keane Whitmore
Adam John
Rhys Davies
Adam Morgan
Hari Lloyd
Macsen Llywelyn
Wyn Thomas
S Cresser
C Coombes
Match Report
Cardiff Draconians bowed out of the Nathaniel MG Cup after a 4-1 defeat at Ynyshir Albions last Saturday.
The cup debutants fell behind inside the first five minutes through Dre Griffiths’ long-range effort after the Dracs failed to clear the lines.
The Buns grabbed their second through Joseff Haig just before half-time after Marinho Manga’s miss-placed pass was latched onto by the forward, who fired past Harry Johnson into the back of the net with a first-time effort to make it 2-0 at half-time.
The visitors flew out of the blocks after the break and halved the deficit through Dan Bowen on his debut in the 49th minute.
The summer signing from Taffs Well latched onto Connor Graham’s lovely weighted ball to fire home past Sam Williams.
The Dracs kept pushing forward in search of an equaliser but any hopes of a comeback was diminished when Ynyshir added two more goals.
The first came from Calum Salter after the forward slotted home past goalkeeper Harry Johnson to make it thee in the 66th minute before Jago Norton rose the highest to head home seven minutes later to seal a place in the next round at home to Llanelli Town.
Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, Kazadi (Akram 77), Benford, Raisbeck, Manga, Crawley (C), Treharne, Bowen, Evans (Mallam 70), Edwards (Anderson 80), Graham (Corson 70)
Unused substitutions: Noaks, Mathias, Hartrey
Attendance: 200
Goals: Bowen (49 min)
Q&A with Dan!
Age? 21
Position? Striker
Favourite Football team? Liverpool
Favourite meal? Chinese
Favourite car? Ford Fiest 07
If you could have any three dinner guests who would they be?
Cristiano Ronaldo, Leonardo Di Caprio and Bradley Walsh
Go to Karaoke Song? Someone Like You by Adele
What is your best footballing attribute? Finishing
Previous clubs? Taffs Well, Caerau Ely, Cardiff Met, Newport County
How long have you been with the club? Joined in the summer
Tell me one fact about you: I broke my Pinky finger, and did it when I was three after I fell off a swing.
Best player you have ever played with? Joe Ledley.
Best player you have ever played against? Wilfried Bony
Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers: Work hard and keep believing in yourself.
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 £2550.
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.
Fixtures
WBS Builders’ Merchants
The Yard
College Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff
Our team have a wealth of building supply knowledge and are more than happy to chat about your latest project with you