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Today’s Programme at a Glance

Manager’s message.

Interview with Clayton.

The squads.

Match Report.

Q&A with Clayton.

Tote and 100 club.

League Table.

Upcoming fixtures.

Managers’ Message

I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone associated with Swansea University as we gather at the Orange Llama Stadium for today’s match. It is always a pleasure to host such an exciting fixture, and we are looking forward to a competitive and entertaining game.

We approach this match with confidence following an outstanding 6-0 victory against Treherbert. That game showcased our team’s hard work and determination, as well as the resilience of our opponents, who fought tirelessly throughout. I was particularly impressed with the overall performance of the squad and the way they executed our game plan. A special mention goes to Haben Samson, who made a memorable debut by scoring twice, and Marinho Mango, whose exceptional goal marked the beginning of what promises to be a great season for him.

Today’s match carries a unique energy, akin to a local derby, with a Cardiff vs Swansea feel. Our last encounter with Swansea University ended in disappointment - a narrow 2-1 defeat after conceding in the dying moments of the game. That result sparked considerable tension, and it is likely that some of that intensity will carry over into today’s fixture. Matches like these are often charged with emotion, and we expect nothing less than a fierce contest.

Swansea University have been in excellent form recently, consistently proving their ability to compete with and defeat any team in the league. Their strong performances make them formidable opponents, and we anticipate another tough challenge today. However, we are prepared and ready to rise to the occasion once again.

As we take to the pitch, I hope everyone enjoys what promises to be an exciting game filled with passion and skill. Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and it is my hope that today remembered for its quality and sportsmanship

Diolch

Nana Baah

Pic by Josh Thomas

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Interview with Clayton

Clayton Farrah has only been with Cardiff Draconians for a month of his second spell but in that time he’s already been in impressive form and has even drawn a comment from Rio Ferdinand on Twitter.

A handshake emoji from the former Manchester United and England captain came after manager Nash Baah described him as interview following his fantastic performance on his home debut against Clydach, leading the Dracs to a 2-0 win earlier this month.

A week later Farrah helped the side pick up successive clean sheets after a 6 0 win over Treherbert Boys & Girls last Saturday.

Farrah, in his first exclusive interview since his return to the Orange Llama Stadium, shares with media officer Joshua Thomas how much he is enjoying being back, that comment by Ferdinand, last weekend herbert and facing Swansea University this afternoon.

JT: You seek to have made an impression in a short space of time, how are you finding your time with Cardiff Draconians so far?

CF: Loving it, a good environment to be in. The boys are quality, and all have the same type of attitude as me very passionate about football.

JT: What made you decide to come to Cardiff Draconians, what is it about this club that made you want to sign for?

CF: Obviously I have played with them before, I know Eggy (Phil Brooker) and Nana (Baah) well, so it was an easy choice to come back to the Dracs.

JT: Nana described you as “our Rio Ferdinand” what were your thoughts on that and for Rio to comment on twitter, how much did that mean to you?

CF: (laughs) it was obviously a big compliment from Nana, and nice of him to reply. I got some funny messages from the boys after it.

JT: You have been with this club for around a month now, helping the side pick up successive clean sheets, how pleased are you with that?

CF: Obviously I am very pleased. The pressure was on me to come in and not

JT: Your last two games has seen you provide two assists is that something in your game you want to continue to work on by getting more higher up the pitch? And how great is it to see your hard work being rewarded?

CF: Back in the day I used to play midfield, but age has caught up to me the boys won’t let me leave centre half now but yeah, it’s always nice to help in any way either (by picking up) clean sheets or an odd goal or an assist.

JT: Last Saturday saw us come away 6-0 winners against Treherbert, how great was that performance?

CF: The boys were on fire; we had a rough spell for about 15 minutes after half-time but once we got that second goal the boys just upped the levels, and it seemed to just be goal after goal which was good.

JT: It was a stark contrast compared to the week before when we beat Clydach 2-0, after so many chances, how pleased were you to get your reward for taking those opportunities this time around?

CF: That’s what the boys mentioned after the game being more clinical and obviously the score showed we were, which was a nice boost for the team.

JT: Among the goalscorers was Haben Sampson, who picked up two on his debut. How much of a great player is he and how pleased were you with him to produce a great game, his first in the black and white of the Dracs?

CF: Haben is quality, he always have been. He has s nice to be on his side. He was quality and his goals just complimented his performance.

JT: Up next is the third and final home game of our period at home against Swansea University this afternoon how great would it be to make it three in a

CF: It would be great to win again at home, which is always the goal. but we want to win the last home game for a while which sets us up nicely for our away games.

JT: We now boast a +30-goal difference, where we are the highest goalscorers and the lowest goals conceded, how pleased are you with that?

s great. To have the goals against being so low but definitely better putting chances away and getting the goal difference in our favour.

JT: What are your thoughts on Swansea University? They come to the Orange Llana Stadium unbeaten in their past six games in all competitions and their last five in the league. It’s going to be a tough game isn’t it?

ve heard nothing but good things. My old teammate Dan Ingram has signed for them also, so just knowing his quality I can imagine the rest of the team are just as good.

JT: Promotion is definitely the aim of everyone involved in the club, but do you have any goals you would like to achieve between now and the end of the season, and what are your aims long term?

CF: The goal is obviously to come in and help the boys get promoted hopefully we can do that. The boys are fired up and ready for the challenge. My personal goal is to just play as hard as I can and help the boys and yeah try get some more goals and assists, if I can. Long term is obviously playing as high as possible in Welsh football, like every player, so yeah just keep performing, hopefully and I’m looking forward to it.

JT: With nine games left how important is it to keep your head up and give it your all, knowing promotion is within grasp. Is the subject of promotion talked about? Or do you now just focus on what’s in front of you and take it on a game-by-game basis?

CF: Honestly, it’s not really the topic at the moment. Nana just keeps reminding us it’s a cup final every game we play for us and obviously for the teams who play us so we just got to keep trying to win these games and see what happens.

Match Officials

Referee Sam Lloyd

1st Assistant Referee Mark Cockram

2nd Assistant Referee Brooklyn Lloyd-Meek

Dracs Squad

Harry Johnson (GK)

Luke Bridgeman (C)

Jacob Benford

Clayton Farrah

Luke Davies

Dan Lewis

Haben Samson

Nathan Mathias

Marinho Manga

Dylan Amin

Sam Cawley

Jamal Roberts

Sam Roberts

Cedovan Taniel

Harri Edwards

Ben Vincent

Manager Nana Baah

Assistant Manager

Paul Smith

Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey

Coach Phil Booker

Coach Darren Buttle

Physio Emma Ryan

Swansea Uni Squad

Luca Smith Mason Kelly

Noah Osborne Joshua Cole

Daniel Ingram Harvey Baxter

William Cockram Callum John

Morgan Wright

Lewis Brooks

Harry Huddart

Casey Coughlin

Ethans Dix

Kian McCarthy

Ollie Roberts

Ronan Templeton

Manager J Midwinter

Assistant Manager A Payne

Physio C Miller

1st Aider

Tom Miles

Match Report

Dracs 6 v 0 Treherbert

Report by Ben Hartrey

The Dracs recorded a comprehensive victory over Treherbert at the Orange Llama Stadium, delivering a dominant second-half performance that showcased both their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.

With regular captain Luke Bridgeman sidelined through injury, Nathan Mathias assumed the armband. The home side made a bright start, controlling possession from the first whistle. Their early pressure paid off on 13 minutes when Sam Roberts slotted home from Dylan Amins’ cutback to hand the Dracs a deserved lead. Treherbert, keen to halt a two-game losing streak, struggled to settle and found themselves chasing the contest.

However, the visitors still managed to disrupt the flow of the game as the first half wore on, leading to scrappy passages of play and yellow cards for both sides. Despite holding a 1–0 advantage at the interval, the Dracs looked uneasy, with Marinho Manga picking up a booking - his 10th of the seasonruling him out for a two-match suspension!

Shortly after the break, the hosts introduced Jamal Roberts for Dan Lewis, a substitution that quickly breathed fresh life into their attack. On 58 minutes, Manga made amends for his earlier caution with a thunderous finish into the top corner from inside the box, courtesy of Sam Cawley’s precise pass.

Moments later, debutant Haben Samson opened his account, latching onto another sumptuous assist from Cawley to double the lead.

With the momentum firmly in their favour, the Dracs brought on Ethan Akram, Harri Edwards, and Cedovan Taniel, all of whom impressed. The fresh legs cemented the home side’s dominance, and on 74 minutes, Edwards coolly converted a penalty to make it 4–0. The striker then netted again on 83 minutes, tapping in from close range to put the result beyond any doubt.

Deep into injury time, Samson grabbed his second of the afternoon, cutting inside to unleash a fierce drive into the net, completing a hat-trick of assists for the outstanding Cawley. While the forwards will take the plaudits for a ruthless attacking display, it was centre-back Clayton Farrah who earned the Man of the Match honours. Towering in the air and composed on the ball, Farrah’s commanding presence evoked comparisons to Rio Ferdinand, marshalling the Dracs’ defence with authority.

It proved an emphatic win for the Dracs, with confidence brimming and new additions already making their mark, the hosts will look to carry this form into their next fixture against Swansea University.

Draconians:

Cardiff

Johnson, Kazadi, Benford, Farrah, Manga (Akram 63), Cawley, Mathias (C), Sam Roberts (Edwards 63), Amin (Cedo 64), Davies, Lewis (Jamal Roberts 59), Samson

Q&A with Clayton!

Favourite Football Team? Liverpool

Favourite Meal? Mixed Shish

Favourite car? Mercedes-Benz G-class

Three dinner guests? Steven Gerrard, J Lo and Virgil van Dijk

Go to Karaoke Song? Music is the Answer by Celeda and Danny Tenaglia

What is your best attribute? Passion

Previous clubs? Cardiff Draconians, Chuffy FC and Caerau Ely

How long have you been with the club? One month

Tell me one fact about you: I scored a bicycle kick in a final for Llanrumney Colts against Fairwater to take it to penalties and we won it.

Best player you have ever played with? Hywel Davies

Best player you have ever played against? Liam Eason

Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers? Don’t take it for granted, time flies.

Feeling lucky? Then join in with our club fundraisers of the Lucky 24 Tote and the 100 club!

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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.