Dracs v Evans & Williams 8th February 2025 by Cardiff Draconians FC

Today’s Programme at a Glance

Manager’s message.

Interview with Luke.

The squads.

Q&A with Luke.

League Table.

Match Report.

Tote and 100 club.

Upcoming fixtures.

Managers’ Message

Welcome to the Orange Llama Stadium for today’s match against Evans & Williams. We extend a warm welcome to all players, staff, and supporters of the visiting team.

We approach this game following a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Pontardawe, who currently sit in second place. While our performance was commendable, two costly errors prevented us from securing the win. Credit must go to Pontardawe for their defensive resilience. However, we’ve turned our focus to today’s opponents, Evans & Williams, a strong side who will undoubtedly challenge us.

Our recent form has been challenging, with three games without a win. It’s crucial that we give everything on the pitch today to secure three points and get back on track. On a positive note, we’ve bolstered our squad with new signings and are working to finalise another addition. Cedovan’s debut was particularly promising; his talent is evident, and as he adapts to our style of play, I’m confident he’ll make a significant impact in the league.

Off the pitch, we promises to be a fantastic event, and we hope many of you can join us for an evening of fun and camaraderie.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support. Together, let forward!

Diolch

Nana Baah

Pic by Josh Thomas

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Interview with Luke

Luke Davies might have been back with Cardiff Draconians for a couple of months but in that time, he has established himself as a key member of the side.

Davies returned to the Dracs in November for his second spell after signing from Caerau Ely and has cemented a place in the first 11, appearing in all six games since his arrival.

Davies shares with Media Officer Joshua Thomas how he is finding his second spell with the Dracs, his thoughts on last week Pontardawe Town, his preferred position and today Evans & Williams.

JT: How are you finding your second spell with the club? Do you feel you have settled in now and what is it like with this bunch of players?

LD: Yeah, of course. I felt settled from my first session back, they are a top group of lads, and they welcomed me back which has helped me to kick on since my return.

JT: What attracted you to return to the club for a second spell, and how did you find your first spell?

LD: I think the management, the boys and the people involved in the club. It what made it so appealing for a return. It’s a well-run club and it’s always nice to pick up three points with all the supporters who travel home and away.

JT: How are you finding your feet at the Dracs after your spell at Caerau Ely, what lessons did you learn from your time away?

LD: Yeah, I feel pretty much the same as the last time I was here, I definitely learnt some things at Caerau which I’m hoping to bring back this year such as playing centre-back when needed and strengthening my attacking skills.

JT: How did you find your first spell with the club, is there much difference to where the club was then and now?

LD: My last stint at the club we narrowly missed out on a play-off position and this season I feel like we have unfinished business and hope we can go on to win the title.

JT: Being a player who can play in a number of different positions, -back, is it good to have squad depth to help fill the positions if needed?

LD: I feel being versatile is a massive bonus and one of my best traits as I find myself able to play most positions rather than having a fixed position which can also help if boys are missing or injured.

JT: Having scored your first goal at Bridgend Street and then two assists against South Gower is that something you are working on your game by getting involved higher up the pitch?

LD: Yeah 100 per cent. I feel playing at Caerau Ely at the start of the year helped me work on my game going forward and that’s what I want to bring to the Dracs and hopefully continue to provide goal

JT: How did you find the game at Pontardawe Town, and despite only drawing 2-2, does that performance give you a boost as you head into the final part of the season?

LD: Yeah, like Nana (Baah) said, as long as we don’t lose to the big sides and we can take points they will all matter come the end of the season, so I think it’s just a matter of game by game now.

JT: We have drawn the last two games how important is to get a win against Evans & Williams, do you feel there is some pressure to get the job done?

LD: I don’t feel there is any pressure, a point at Pontardawe was a good result for us and luckily other results went our way.

JT: It’s looking really tight at the top ATM with just two points separating you and Pontardawe Town but still have four games in hand, how will you approach the situation knowing there is still a lot more work to do in the last 13 games of the season, starting with Evans & Williams today?

LD: I think we just have to take it game by game and not focus on other teams. If we keep doing our bit and chipping away that’s all that matters.

JT: The Dracs are yet to taste defeat at home this season with seven wins and three draws from your first 10 games, is that something you want to keep going? How pleased are you with your run at home?

LD: Yeah, I’m very pleased with the home form, a key thing for a side that wants to compete is to win your home games and we have done very well this year with doing so. Hopefully we can keep this going.

JT: With 13 games left to go, what would it mean for the club to win the title, is it something you can do, especially with a number of games across a short period of time due to the postponements over the winter peri-

LD: Yeah of course, that’s our ambition and I don’t think we should be aiming for anything less than the title. The boys have done so well to get to where they have done s a matter of not getting distracted and just to keep chipping away game by game.

JT: And what does the future look like for you, what are your aims personally and for this club?

LD: Personally, I’d love to see us win promotion this year. That would be massive for the club, and it would be amazing to play for such a top club and compete with some of the biggest names in Welsh League Football.

Match Officials

Referee Ashley Thomas

1st Assistant Referee Glyn Thomas

2nd Assistant Referee Cody Crockett

Dracs Squad

Harry Johnson (GK) Callum Beckett

Luke Bridgeman (C)

Jacob Benford

Dylan Amin

Sam Cawley

Luke Davies Jamal Roberts

Dan Lewis

Efu Kazadi

Nathan Mathias

Marinho Manga

Sam Roberts

Cedovan Taniel

Jordan Coles

Ben Vincent

Manager Nana Baah

Assistant Manager

Paul Smith

Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey

Coach Phil Booker

Coach Darren Buttle

Physio Emma Ryan

Evans & Williams Squad

Dylan Ashford Ace Lloyd

Bruno Forkuoh

Iwan McNab

Nick Glendon Robert Owens

Matthew Hughes

Owain Phillips-Taylor

Llywelyn James Liam Samuel

Nick Jones

Robert Jones

Steff Vincent

Rhys Watson

Jac Lewis Matthew Williams

Richard Lewis

Sion Williams Manager D Greene

Coach R Lewis

Coach G Lloyd

Coach G Hickman

Goalkeeping Coach D Herrington

Match Report

Pontardawe v Dracs 2-2

Report by Josh Thomas

Cardiff Draconians picked up a priceless point after coming from behind to pick up a 2-2 draw with Pontardawe Town in the battle at the top of the Ardal Southern South West.

However, It was the second placed hosts who drew first blood when they opened the scoring after six minutes at Parc Ynysderw.

Ponty’s two centre halves combined as Eliott Thomas headed across the box into the path of captain Craig Davies to nod home.

The Dracs levelled the scores in the 34th minute in fortunate circumstances.

Ben Vincent’s dangerous corner took a deflection off Jack Hughes as the defender could only head the ball into the back of his own net to make it level at half-time.

The table leaders came out of the blocks in explosive fashion as they went in front for the first time two minutes after the break.

Vincent’s testing corner proved again to be difficult to defend against as captain Luke Bridgeman was on hand to powerfully head home at the near post.

Luke Davies’ free-kick on the edge of the box took a deflection and looked certain to hit the back of the net but home goalkeeper Nathaniel Osborne flung himself to pull of a fantastic save to tip the ball over superbly to ensure both sides came away with a share of the spoils.

Just as it looked like the Dracs would build on their one-goal advantage the hosts levelled the scores a short time later.

Arnold Ncube unselfishly squared the ball across goal into the path of Joshua Dorward who was left with an empty net as he tapped the ball home from six-yards out to draw the scores level again.

Both sides chased a third and crucial goal and despite the two teams both having a number of chances it was the Dracs who nearly snatched it late on.

Johnson, Lewis (Roberts 79), Kazadi Bridgeman (C), Davies, Manga, Vincent (Coles 69), Beckett, Taniel, Amin, Roberts (Edwards 45)

Unused substitutions: Lorente Gutierro, Akram

Pics by Josh Thomas

SAT 8th FEB

Q&A with Luke!

Favourite Football team? Chelsea

Favourite meal? Lasagne

Favourite car? Mercedes AMG

If you could have any three dinner guests, who would they be?

Cristiano Ronaldo, Theo Von, Seth Rogan

Go to Karaoke Song? You to me are everything by The Real Thing

What is your best footballing attribute? Angry!

Previous clubs? Canton, Caerau Ely

How long have you been with the club? I was here for half a season and back now this season again.

Tell me one fact about you? Constantly angry!

Best player you have ever played with? Fabrizo Murtas for Welsh Schools

Best player you have ever played against?

Laith Fairnee for England Schools and Birmingham City

Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers?

Work hard and be ruthless and play your own game.

Pic by Debbie Yanez

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