Manager’s Message
Todays Squads
Player Interview - Harri E
Todays Squads
Match Report
League Table
Q and A with Harri
Fixtures
Managers’ Message
Firstly, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to my good friend Callum McKenzie and his Aberystwyth side to the Orange Llama Stadium. Callum is someone I know well and I have great respect for the way he sets up his teams, so we know we are in for a real test this afternoon.
We come into today’s game on the back of a tough 2-1 defeat to Newport City in the cup. It was a match where I felt we could and perhaps should have taken more from the performance. However, what it reminded us of once again is that at this level, chances are limited and any lapse in concentration is almost always punished. These are hard lessons, but vital ones as we continue to grow as a group.
Aberystwyth arrive with promotion ambitions and, without doubt, will be favourites heading into this fixture. For us, it is another challenge where we know we’ll need to dig deep. We are missing two key players through suspension and unfortunately picked up a couple more injuries during the Newport game. That said, we must draw confidence from our recent 2-1 victory over Pontypridd. That performance showed what we are capable of when we stick together, remain disciplined, and play with belief. Every player on the pitch today will need to give their absolute best if we are to take something from this game.
I’d also like to take this chance to welcome our new signing, young left-back Daffyd Ball, who has joined us from Canton. I have followed Daffyd’s progress for several years and always admired his talent and attitude, so it is a real pleasure to now have him here with us.
Finally, thank you once again for your fantastic support. Your backing made a huge difference in the Pontypridd game, and we’ and proud again this afternoon.
Diolch, Nana Baah
Interview with Harri
Harri Edwards believes people writing Cardiff Draconians off can work to their advantage.
The Dracs are competing in their first ever season at the Cymru South, having won the Ardal South West title last campaign. And Edwards, who is fast approaching one year the club after joining from Taffs Well, says they know how good they are and what they are capable of achieving ahead of facing Aberystwyth Town this afternoon.
Edwards also shares with Media Officer Joshua Thomas his time with Cardiff Draconians so far, their first month in Cymru South, getting on the scoresheet for the first time this term against Newport City and facing today’s opponents.
JT: How have you found your time so far at the Dracs since signing last November?
HE: I’ve loved it. It’s the best team I’ve been involved in and have made seem real good mates and we’ve got a great balance between seriousness and having a laugh.
JT: How, as a team, have you found your first month in the Cymru South?
HE: I think we’ve proven in every game that we’re more than capable of competing at this level and that we’re comfortable with the step up, but have also been shown that our mistakes will be punished and that’s been a key part to the start of the season.
JT: It’s a new look team, compared to last season, you all seemed to have gelled in quite well, how have you found it?
HE: Having been a newcomer into the squad just last season I know it can be quite daunting coming into a new team. But I think it’s very easy to fit in with us as there’s no egos and we’re all just mates and want everyone to do well.
JT: You are already off the mark with a goal last time out against Newport City, how pleased were you to get back on the scoresheet and is this the start of hopefully many more?
HE: Yeah, it’s a shame about the result but it’s always nice to get on the scoresheet. Hopefully many more to come, as my goal contribution numbers is something I’m looking to build on this season.
JT: Last time out we were beaten by Newport City, in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup, how disappointing was it to get knocked out, especially after a battling second half?
HE: Very disappointing being out of another cup very early on, especially considering we were probably the better team that day with more of the chances.
JT: So far it’s been a common theme of defeats by the odd goal, does that show we are moving in the right direction and know you are faring well against the teams you are facing?
HE: Definitely, it’s a positive to take that. So far we aren’t conceding many goals, but we will be punished for our mistakes in this league and also for not taking our chances. I think if we can just sort that side of our game out we’ll only go from strength to strength.
JT: Up next is Aberystwyth Town, and back to league action, how important is it to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat against Newport City and hopefully get three points?
HE: Coming off a win last time out in the league we should be raring to go this Saturday especially against an ex-Welsh Premier side. I think the recent weather and it being at home could play a massive part in this match, granted we’ve got a few injuries and players suspended, we’ve still got enough quality in the squad to compete with any side in the league.
JT: Lastly Aberystwyth Town, who have had a record of playing in the Cymru Premier, so it won’t be an easy game but are these the type of matches you look out for, knowing the history they have had, but going out there knowing anything can happen in 90
HE: Exactly, anything can happen in 90 minutes and it’s games like this where people have already started to write us off before a ball has even be kicked, and that’ll likely be a similar thing all season but I think this will work to our advantage. Let people see us as the underdogs, because only we know as a team how good we are and re capable of achieving.
Sponsoring Sam Roberts
Match Officials
Referee Charlotte Carpenter
1st Assistant Referee Ryan Tudor
2nd Assistant Referee Aaron Paskell
Dracs Squad
Harry Johnson (GK) Jamal Roberts
Harry Noaks (GK) Sam Cawley
Luke Bridgeman (C) Sam Roberts
Jacob Benford
Luke Davies
Dan Lewis
Efu Kazadi
Marinho Manga
Nathan Mathias
Myles Corson
Harri Edwards
Dan Bowen
Luke Evans
Liam Mallam
Harry Treharne
Manager Nana Baah
Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey
1st Team Coach
Paul Smith
Coach Darren Buttle
Goalkeeping Coach
Fitness Coach
Physio
Xabi Lorente
Abdoulie Ann
Emma Ryan
Aberystwyth Squad
Reece Thompson
Dylan Downs
Rickie Ricketts
Tomos Evans
Sam Paddock Gwydion Dafis
Kosta Mario Garin Evans
Kane Auld
Zac Hartley
Desean Martin
Star Mayemba
Tyrone Ofori
Ethan O'Toole
Ben Davies
Tom Mason
Josh Ferreira
Landon Walton
Youssef Elazhari
Tyler Davies
Manager Callum McKenzie
Assistant Manager
Coach
First Aider
Matthew Bishop
Oliver McGilligan
Niamh Duggan
Match Report Newport City
Orange Llama Stadium , Lydstep Park – 30th August 2025 – Attendance: 127
Match Report: Dracs v Newport City WBS Cup R1 by Josh Thomas
Cardiff Draconians bowed out of the Welsh Blood Service League after a 2-1 defeat against Newport City last Saturday (August 30).
First Efu Kazadi was adjudged to have fouled George Kabza inside the box and up stepped Charlie Davies to send Harry Johnson the wrong way from the spot.
In wet, sodden conditions at the Orange Llama Stadium, the Dracs were caught out after conceding two goals in the opening 21 minutes.
A second arrived for the Steelmen 11 minutes later when McKenzie Thompson fired low and hard beyond Harry Johnson into the bottom right-hand corner to double City’s advantage and make it 2-0 at half-time.
The hosts fared better in the second half and pushed forward in the heavy rain, and went close through both Sam Roberts and Sam Cawley before Harry Treharne drew Cohen Riella into a good save to keep the The Dracs at bay.
However, it wasn’t to be the hosts day as the visitors held firm and resolute to secure a place in round two.
But the scores were halved in the 74th minute following a great passage of play. Substitute Dan Bowen’s lovely weighted ball found Harri Edwards in space inside the box, and he fired home from close range past Riella for his first goal of the season to give the Dracs some hope.
Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, Lewis (Davies 46), Davies, Bridgeman (C) (Benford 48, J Roberts 60), Manga, Cawley, Matthias, S Roberts (Bowen 60), Treharne (Evans 75), Edwards, Kazadi
Unused substitutions: Noaks and Mallam
Yellow cards: Cardiff Draconians: Manga 89
Newport City: Thompson 36 and Cadwallader 64
Pics by Debbie Yanez & Josh Thomas
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Q&A with Harri
Age? 24
Position? Forward
Favourite football team? Liverpool
Favourite car? Lamborghini Urus
If you could have three favourite dinner guests who would they be? Shane Gills, Jay Z and Graham Hancock.
Go to Karaoke Song? Sean Kingston, Beautiful Girl.
What is your best footballing attribute? Pace
Previous clubs? Taffs Well, Llantwit Major, Caerau Ely
How long have you been with the club? Since November 2024
Tell us a fact about you! Welsh is my first language.
Best player you have played with? Rabbi Matondo
Best player you have played against? Dony De Boor
Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers: When things aren’t going your way try to look internally and see what you can do rather than blaming outside influences for your situation. Something I’m trying to work on myself
Fixtures
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