31st October 2026 2.00pm Kick Off
Afan Lido FC
CONTENTS 01
Today's Programme at a Glance
02
Manager's Message
03
Match Report
04
Dracs Crowdfinder!
05
Man of the Match
06
The Teams
07
Team of the Week
08
Player Interview
09
Player Q&A
10
Fixtures
11
League Table
’ S R E G A MAN E G A S S E M Firstly, I would like to welcome everyone connected with Afan Lido to the Orange Llama Stadium for today’s game. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to their manager, my good friend Lee Surman, and Lido legend Alan Howells. Alan is one of the genuinely good people in Welsh football, and it is always a pleasure to see him. We come into today’s game following a disappointing 3–1 defeat against a very good Trethomas Bluebirds side. On the night, they outworked, outfought and outplayed us for large parts of the game and we have to be honest enough to admit that. There were moments when we showed what we are capable of, particularly in the period leading up to our goal. We did well to halve the deficit and gave ourselves an opportunity to get back into the match, but we did not push on or respond strongly enough afterwards. As manager, I have to accept some responsibility. I do not believe I prepared the players well enough for the type of game we faced. However, we have spoken openly and honestly about the performance as a group. The players have responded well, the training has been positive, and I feel we are now in a much better place collectively. Today is also significant for two very important reasons. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Show Racism the Red Card Wales. Having been involved with the organisation, I know how important its work has been in educating young people, challenging prejudice and using football as a powerful force for positive change. Thirty years is an incredible milestone, but the message remains as important today as it has ever been. Racism and discrimination have no place in football or wider society and we all have a responsibility to continue challenging them whenever we see or hear them. Today is also our commemorative fixture, giving us an opportunity to pause, reflect and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Football brings people and communities together, but some occasions are bigger than the game itself. It is important that we show our respect and ensure the sacrifices made by so many are never forgotten. Turning our attention back to the football, we are expecting an extremely tough test. Afan Lido have a squad containing a great deal of experience and have picked up some good form. We know they will be direct, physically strong and fully committed in every challenge. We will need to compete from the first whistle, match their intensity and show far more determination than we did in our previous game. This is exactly the type of match my players need after a disappointing result. It gives us an immediate opportunity to respond and show our true character. I am not worried in the slightest about our current league position. I know what these boys are capable of and I have complete faith in the quality within this group. We must continue working hard, remain together and turn our performances into the results we know we can achieve. Thank you for your continued support. I hope you all enjoy today’s game. Diolch Nana Baah
FAW WELSH CUP
·
SECOND ROUND
Match Report RADNOR VALLEY
1 – 3
CARDIFF DRACONIANS The Bypass · 17th October 2026 · Attendance: 296 Match report by Josh Thomas. MATCH SUMMARY
Cardiff Draconians scored two late goals to overcome Radnor Valley and progress in the FAW Welsh Cup. After a goalless first half, Ieuan Price opened the scoring with a fantastic freekick just before the hour to give the hosts the lead and put the Goats on the cusp of an upset. However, the Dracs fought back and levelled the scores in the 69th minute through Dan Bowen, after Harry Johnson’s long ball found the striker and he was able to slot the ball past Otto Jones.
Straight from kick-off, the Goats nearly went back in front through Jack Gittoes’ chip, but the hosts number nine saw his effort come back off the crossbar. The miss proved costly as Nana Baah’s men grew into confidence and won the tie after scoring two goals in stoppage time. A Carlos Indjai header in the fifth minute of added on time and a first goal for the Dracs from Cole Mace two minutes later, from another Johnson assist, sealed the Dracs a place in the third round against Penybont.
CARDIFF DRACONIANS Johnson, Kazadi, Saunders (Goulestani 90), Cawley, Mace, Babah (Stephans 69), Bowen, Treharne, Indjai, McCarthy (Corson 59), Roberts (Pepper 90) Unused substitutions: Holley
CYMRU SOUTH
Match Report TRETHOMAS BLUEBIRDS
3 – 1
CARDIFF DRACONIANS CCB Ystrad Mynach · 23rd October 2026 · Attendance: 211 Match report by Josh Thomas. MATCH SUMMARY
Cardiff Draconians left Trethomas Bluebirds empty-handed after they were beaten 3-1 at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in their latest Novira Cymru South encounter. The Bluebirds broke the deadlock with two goals from Norton Ferreira inside the first 16 minutes to stun the Dracs. Ferreira grabbed his first in the 11th minute, before the in-form forward grabbed his 10th league goal of the season five minute later to put the hosts in firm control and extend his lead at top of the scoring charts.
Captain Sam Cawley halved the scores when he got himself onto the scoresheet with his third goal of the season in the 28th minute to give Nana Baah’s men some hope of salvaging something from the game. But a superb strike from Ben Taylor, after he was set by Ferreira, ended the Dracs revival and rounded off the win for the hosts and end Cardiff Draconians threegame unbeaten run in all competitions.
CARDIFF DRACONIANS Johnson, Kazadi, Saunders (Stephens 80), Cawley, Matthias, Mace (Thomas 70), Corson (Bowen 60), Babah (Davies 70), Treharne, Indjai, Gullick (Roberts 70) Unused substitutions: Tom Holley and Luke Nippers
Cardiff Draconians Crowdfunder HELP US BRING THE LYDSTEP PARK FAN ZONE TO LIFE! We’re building more than just football at Cardiff Draconians we’re building a community. Our exciting new Community Fan Zone at Lydstep Park will create a fantastic space for matchdays, families, players and the wider community to enjoy. We’re now so close to reaching our final funding target and we need your help to get over the line!
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The Fan Zone will be more than a matchday facility. It will be a lively community hub - a place to gather, celebrate, support local sport and create lasting memories at Lydstep Park. If you can, please support the crowdfunding and help us get over the line. If you are unable to donate, sharing the campaign still makes a real difference. Together, we can build something special for our club, our supporters and our community. Scan the QR code to donate or share: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/qIeJVkAW
Match Officials Referee 1st Assistant Referee 2nd Assistant Referee
Richard Jeffries James Young Aaron Paskell
Teams Harry Johnson (GK) Tom Holley (GK) Jacob Benford Efu Kazadi Callum Nippers Jamal Roberts Carlos Indjai Josh Stephens Amani Babah Sam Cawley (C) Dylan Amin
Myles Corson Dan Bowen Luke Gullick Cameron Egan Rhys McCarthy Cole Mace Haben Samson Harry Treharne Keegan Saunders Brandon Thomas
Staff Manager Assistant Manager Coach 1st Aider Coach
Nana Baah Paul Smith Darren Buttle Colin Ashton Gareth Hicks
Teams Exauce Dimonekene Jamie Baker Sean Cronin Johden De Meyer Morgan Evans Alex Giardelli Liam Griffiths John Hall Callum Jones Harrison Keetch
Cameron Keetch Daniel Lewis Liam McCreesh Cai Owens Jack Pascoe Brandon Roberts Matthew Richards Callum Salter David Thomas
Staff Manager Coach Coach Physio
Lee Surman Liam Hughes Matthew Evan Gareth Jones
Interview with Carlos! Carlos Indjai says he is having an “amazing” time at Cardiff Draconians so far. Indjai arrived at the Dracs from Afan Lido in the summer, and is set to face his former employers for the first time this afternoon. The centre-back has made an instant impact in the Welsh capital with two goals in seven games in all competitions since his arrival at the Orange Llama Stadium. Indjai shares with media officer Joshua Thomas his thoughts on our defeat away at Trethomas Bluebirds, being with Cardiff Draconians, beating Radnor Valley in the FAW Welsh Cup and facing Afan Lido. JT: Last Friday saw us beaten by Trethomas Bluebirds, how difficult was that one to take? CI: Very difficult, there are loads to work on but there are also a few positives to take from the game. The result wasn’t the best of course, but that comes with the game. We have to learn from it and move on to the next one JT: What were your thoughts on our game with Trethomas Bluebirds? CI: It wasn’t the best of games from us. We lacked energy, intent as well as poor defending from us. We started slow, but it gave us more of a base and the opportunity to go back to basics during the week with training to improve and get better results going forward.
JT: How have you found your time with the Dracs so far, what have you learned and what is it like playing with these guys and learning from the likes of Nana and Smithy? CI: It’s been amazing so far, results have been up and down, but the work behind the scenes have been nothing less than great, training sessions are good as well as the match prep. Everyone has been great to me on a football level, but most importantly on a personal level too which has been great. Learning from Nana and Smithy so far has opened a different side to my game that I never even identified that I needed to work on, so it has been great and improving every week. Looking forward to continue to work with them and hopefully repay them back with results for the effort and time they put not just with me, but with the rest of the boys. JT: Against Radnor Valley, we left it late but got the job done, how pleased were you with the resilience and character shown to get the job done? How pleased were you with the late goals, including your header, which helped you get to the next round? CI: It was a very late response from us, but it showed what we capable of if we put 90 minutes together, instead of 10, 20 minutes. We showed a great attitude to get a result coming from behind, but even though we left it late I always felt like we were a bit in control and we could get a result and we did and I was happy to contribute with it with a goal and through to the next round.
JT: Just how special was that win over Radnor Valley, from travelling with everyone on the bus to picking up the win, just how great was the whole day and everyone coming together to join in the occasion? CI: Very special, as it was my first one with the group, and it went extremely well. I got to bond with the fans and also the rest of the group, and it helped me understand the club and what the expectations are from us as a club, as well as a team
JT: Up next is Afan Lido, which is personal for you for a lot of reasons, especially as you played for them for a number of years, what are your thoughts on the game and coming up against your former teammates for the first time since joining the Dracs? CI: A bit anxious, but excited too. It’s a club that I spent a lot of time with, and it’s a club that will always have a place in my life for many reasons, from staff to fans. Everyone always looked after me and received and treated me like I was family to them. I am looking forward to the game, they are a very well organised team and that will fight for each other no matter what and we will just have to match them with the same energy, but mainly focus on us and it should be a good battle on the weekend. But, once we cross those white lines its Dracs v Lido, and I represent the Dracs now, so working for the win, but it will be a very strange feeling playing against good friends and previous management for the first time.
JT: it’s been a mixed start to the season, how important is it work hard and build a good run of from to move yourself up the table, starting with Afan Lido this afternoon? CI: Very important, we have to take it week by week game by game and it starts from this weekend. Results and performances have been inconsistent, but I believe we as a team can go and shock a few teams and put a few good run of games and hopefully it starts this week. Training has been great, the work has been put by everyone from staff to players and we just have to step up on the weekend and show it.
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 £4150. 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.
Email: Cardiffdraconians@aol.com Twitter: @CDraconians Facebook: @CardiffDraconiansFC
Q&A with Carlos
AGE
32
POSITION
Centre-back
FAVOURITE TEAM
Manchester United
FAVOURITE MEAL
Spaghetti Bolognese
FAVOURITE CAR
Mercedes GLE
THREE DINNER GUESTS
Ami Sowe, Mario Balotelli, Chad Johnson
GO-TO KARAOKE SONG
Bryson Tiller – Don’t
BEST ATTRIBUTE
Talking
PREVIOUS CLUBS
Afan Lido, Newport City, Dinas Powys, Llantwit Major
TIME WITH THE CLUB
First season
ONE FACT ABOUT YOU
I speak four languages – Creole, English, Portuguese and Spanish
BEST PLAYER PLAYED WITH
Richard Kone – QPR
BEST PLAYER PLAYED AGAINST
Courtney Baker-Richardson
ADVICE FOR FOOTBALLERS
Stay ready, block the opinions and keep working hard even when you think people are not looking.
Cardlos is sponsored by: Marcus Greenish
s o l r a C
7th November Pure Swansea vs Cardiff Draconians 13th November Penybont vs Cardiff Draconians 21st November Cardiff Draconians vs Aberystwyth 27th November Llanelli vs Cardiff Draconians