CARDIFF
3rd October 2026 2.30pm Kick Off
D R AC O N I A N S Welcome to the Orange Llama Stadium
VS
Newport City FC
MATCHDAY GROUND ENTRY £6 PROGRAMME £1.50
Today’s Programme at a Glance Manager’s Message Match Report Dracs Crowdfunder! Man of the Match The Teams Team of the Week Interview with Dylan Player Q&A Fixtures League Table
Managers’ Message Firstly, I would like to welcome everyone connected with Newport City to the Orange Llama Stadium for today’s game. A warm welcome to their players, officials, supporters and manager, Robbie Willmot. We hope you enjoy your visit and have a safe journey home afterwards. We come into today’s fixture disappointed following our 3–1 defeat against Caerau Ely. It was a result that hurt because of the importance of the derby and because I do not believe the final score truly reflected the game. We were not at our best, and we have to be honest enough to accept that. There were moments when we could have been braver in possession, made better decisions and shown more quality in the final third. However, I could not fault the effort of the players. They continued to work, compete and do everything they could to stay in the match. At this level, small details can make a massive difference. If you fail to take your opportunities or switch off at important moments, good teams will punish you. Caerau were clinical when their chances arrived, and we have to give them credit for that. We will learn from the performance, but we cannot allow one disappointing result to define us. The important thing now is how we respond. Football always gives you another opportunity, and today we have the chance to produce a positive performance in front of our own supporters. We know Newport City will provide another very difficult test. They have good players throughout their squad and are led by someone with a wealth of experience from the professional game. Robbie knows football inside out, and I am sure his team will be organised, competitive and fully prepared for the challenge. We will need to match their intensity, remain disciplined and concentrate from the first whistle until the last. We must also show confidence when we have the ball. Playing against experienced players should not be something we fear—it should be an opportunity for our players to test themselves and demonstrate that they belong at this level. There are no easy games in this league, and we know that anything less than our best will make the afternoon extremely difficult. However, we also believe in the quality and character within our changing room. When we play with energy, bravery and togetherness, we know we can compete with anyone. Being home at the Orange Llama Stadium is important to us. The support from the sidelines gives the players an extra lift, particularly when the game becomes difficult. We need everyone behind the team and helping us create a positive atmosphere from the opening whistle. Our aim today is simple: respond in the right way, compete for every ball and give everything for the badge. Thank you for your continued support. I hope you all enjoy the game.
Diolch yn fawr, Nana Baah
Match Report Caerau Ely Cardiff Draconians 1-3 Caerau Ely
Orange Llama Stadium – 26th September 2026 – Attendance: 424 Match report by Josh Thomas. Cardiff Draconians fell to a 3-1 defeat against local rivals Caerau Ely in the local Derby at the Orange Llama Stadium. The Young Guns opened the scoring inside the first minute after Joe Woodiwiss’ long ball over the top found Lewis Harling, who slotted the ball past Dracs number one Harry Johnson into the back of the net to stun the home crowd.
Liam Bishop had the chance to double Caerau Ely’s lead in the eighth minute from the penalty spot, after Nathan Mathias was penalised for handball, but Bishop saw his spot kick fantastically saved by Johnson, down to his right, to keep Nana Baah’s men still in the game. Pics by Ollie Fox
Cardiff Draconians slowly grew into the game and were unfortunate not to equalise through Sam Cawley. Cawley did well to get past his man, before unleashing a low effort which struck the right-hand post, and allowed Caerau Ely to clear their lines as the visitors went into half-time with the lead. The Young Guns, however, doubled in the 49th minute after Bishop unselfishly squared the ball to Harling, with the midfielder slotting home. But, back came again the Dracs and Dylan Amin found himself with a free header, after great work by Mathias but the Dracs number 10 could only direct his header straight into the path of Harry Irving.
Sam Cawley netted a late consolation from the spot in the 90th minute, before Carlos Indjai was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time as the Dracs fell to their first defeat in four games.
And the miss would only inspire Caerau Ely to come forward through Zack Maher, before he found Jaden Bahumaid, and the 19-year-old substitute was able to arrow the ball into the bottom corner for his second goal in as many games.
Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, Saunders (Nippers, 82), Cawley (captain), Mathias, Amin, Corson, Stephens (Kazadi, 46), Bowen (Benford, 73), Treharne (Roberts, 85), Indjai, Samson (Luke Gullick, 46) Unused substitutions: McCarthy and Holley Pics by Josh Thomas
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! Every donation helps. Every share makes a difference. Together, we can make this happen. 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 crowdfunder 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/qleJVkAW
Match Officials Referee 1st Assistant Referee 2nd Assistant Referee
Teifion Cook Brooklyn Lloyd-Meek Vasilica Valentin Ciuplea
Harry Johnson (GK)
Myles Corson
Tom Holley (GK) Jacob Benford Efu Kazadi Callum Nippers Jamal Roberts
Dan Bowen Luke Gullick Cameron Egan Rhys McCarthy Cole Mace
Carlos Indjai Josh Stephens Amani Babah Sam Cawley (C) Dylan Amin
Haben Samson Harry Treharne Keegan Saunders Brandon Thomas
Manager Assistant Manager Coach 1st Aider Goalkeeping Coach
Nana Baah Paul Smith Darren Buttle Colin Ashton Gareth Hicks
Newport City Squad Alexander Harris
Kyran Steadman
Dafydd Owen Ellis Sage Drew Heffernan Rio Booth Keanau Marsh-Brown
Adam Ward Elliott Jones Tomas Lynch James Parry Kian Bodenham
Samuel Johnson Robbie Willmott Jonah Williams
Luke Conaty Jak Carson Jac Norris
Team Manager Coach Coach
Robbie Willmott Tom Hooper L Marsh
Interview with Dylan. Dylan Amin believes it’s an “exciting time” to be at Cardiff Draconians. The Dracs are building foundations both on and off the pitch, from taking part in their second ever campaign at the Cymru South, after finishing seventh last year, to releasing a statement detailing a 30year Lydstep Park lease, community access arrangements, and plans for a new Community Fan Zone. This year has also seen the addition of a number of junior and youth sides, from under-7s up to our reserve team, who play in the Cardiff Combination Football League, and over 170 players join the club.
Amin shares with media officer Joshua Thomas on last Saturday’s defeat to Caerau Ely, going into his fourth season with Cardiff Draconians, the excitement of being with the Dracs and taking on Newport City this Saturday. JT: How disappointing was it against Caerau Ely on Saturday? DA: It was very disappointing. It’s a game, obviously a derby, that we all wanted to do well in. No one likes losing derby like that. I just think it was disappointing the way we started the game. I think our nerves showed a lot, and the first 10 minutes of both halves killed us. JT: What went wrong out there? DA: I think there was nerves, to begin with, and then them scoring early kind of changed the way we expected them to play. They kind of sat back a little bit more. We thought the full backs would go forward a bit. We didn’t plan on them scoring so early on. So it kind of changed the way we wanted to approach the game, which affected our performance, what we wanted to do.
JT: How great is it be at the Dracs at the moment? DA: I’ve been here four years now and I love the club. It feels like it’s my club and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, to be honest. We’ve got a good togetherness within the group. We’re all mates, and I think it makes a difference. We all want to play for each other and win for each other. I’m positive about what we can do this season, even though the results are not as not what we expected or what we would have wanted, but I think we can improve and I am confident we’ll do that. Pics by Ollie Fox & Josh Thomas
JT: What’s so special about this set of lads? What makes it a great time to be part of the Dracs? DA: I’ve played with (Luke Bridgeman) Bridgie, (Sam Cawley) Shirley, Nathan, Harry Johnson for a long time, and we’re all close mates. When you’re playing with your mates, it does have an impact, you want to fight for them, and there’s a lot of good things happening, with all the youth teams coming in at the moment, and they’ve worked really hard on the pitch and on the ground. They’re doing a lot of work to the ground and trying to push the club to in the right direction, So I think it’s an exciting time to be at the Dracs. JT: What does that do with as players seeing there’s a lot of things, not just happening on the pitch but off the pitch as well. DA: It obviously brings a lot. It makes you confident that the club’s going in the right direction, and we’re trying to push even more as good as we can be. We will do our job on the pitch, and it’s nice to see they’re doing a lot of work off the pitch to improve everything about the club. JT: It’s a big game today, another home game, a chance to put Caerau Ely behind you, what are your thoughts on your game with Newport City? DA: It’s a big game. After our result we need to put things right, and we need to start a game at a higher intensity. We need to get the nerves out. We looked very nervous at the start of the game with Caerau Ely. I know it’s a big derby, but we’ve got to put it right after losing 3-1 in a derby. Losing the next game is not an option for us. We have to go out and make sure we get the three points. JT: Today will be the fourth of five home games in a row, how important is it to make advantage? DA: I feel like over the years I’ve been here, we’ve always been a tough place to go. No one wants to come to the Dracs. And that’s why losing against Caerau Ely, in the way we did, hurts more than usual. We need to get back to making our ground a fortress, and a place that’s uncomfortable for teams to go to. It is important. We need to make a statement, and we have Newport next. We’ll take one game at a time. Three points is massive for us. We need to make sure we get the job done. JT: What are your thoughts about Newport City? DA: They are a good club. I’ve never had an easy game against them, but I feel like on our day we can go toe to toe with any team in this league. So, if we just stick to our game plan, play how we want to play, I feel like we’re good enough to win the game and go on a run then.
Pics by Harley Lloyd-Cooksley & Josh Thomas
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 £4000. 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 Dylan! Age? 28 Position? Number 10 Favourite Football team? Liverpool Favourite meal? Lamb Madras with Keema Naan and Keema Rice Favourite car: BMW
Pic by Josh Thomas
If you could have any three dinner guests who would they be? Juergen Klopp, Virgil Van Dijk and Steven Gerrard Go to Karaoke Song? Stand By Me by Ben E King What is your best attribute? My workrate Previous clubs? Treharris Athletic Western, Caerau Ely How long have you been with the club? Going into my fourth season! Tell me one fact about you: I’ve watched every Marvel film – most of them more times than I’d like to admit. Best player you have ever played with? Luke Bridgeman Best player you have ever played against? Lee Trundle Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers: Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers: Work hard, make sure, have confidence in yourself, believe in yourself, and don’t take things to heart. If you don’t play, just always try to keep improving. Dylan is sponsored by:- Dave Rees
Pic by Josh Thomas
Fixtures
Once a Drac, Always a Drac
Pl
W
D
L
GF GA GD Pts
1
Pure Swansea
7
5
2
0
22
5
17
17
2
Aberystwyth Town
7
5
1
1
19
7
12
16
3
Pontypridd United
7
5
1
1
18
12
6
16
4
Carmarthen Town
8
4
2
2
19
17
2
14
5
Caerau Ely
8
4
1
3
19
18
1
13
6
Treowen Stars
8
4
1
3
17
16
1
13
7
Baglan Dragons
9
4
1
4
9
10
-1
13
8
Afan Lido
9
3
2
4
13
15
-2
11
9
Trethomas Bluebirds
8
2
4
2
15
14
1
10
10
Ynyshir Albions
7
2
4
1
7
6
1
10
11
Caerphilly Athletic
8
2
2
4
8
14
-6
8
12
Newport City
6
2
1
3
9
5
4
7
13
Cardiff Draconians
6
2
1
3
8
11
-3
7
14
Pontardawe Town
7
2
0
5
11
14
-3
6
15
Llantwit Major
6
1
1
4
4
15
-11
4
16
Llanelli Town
9
0
2
7
6
25
-19
2
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