Dracs vs Treowen Stars AFC 8th November 2025

Page 1


Today’s Programme at a Glance

JD Cymru South Match Day 13

Match Report

The Squads

Man of the Match

Manager’s Message

Vets Match Report

Player Interview

Player Q and A

League Table Fixtures

Managers’ Message

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Ben Murphy and his Treowen Stars side to The Orange Llama Stadium. It’s always great to host another well-organised team with a good set of people behind them, and I’m sure we’ll be treated to an entertaining game between two ambitious sides.

Last weekend was a tough one to take. We travelled to face Cambrian United, who have shown across the division that they are the standard-setters and very much the team to beat this season. We held our own for long spells and looked confident in possession, taking a deserved 2-1 lead. There was a key moment when we thought we had gone 3-1 ahead, only for the assistant referee’s flag to deny us with a tight offside decision. Moments like that can change games, and unfortunately, that was the turning point. Cambrian showed their quality and punished us in a ruthless twenty-minute spell where they scored three times and took the game away from us.

From a performance point of view, I can’t fault the lads for their attacking intent. Offensively, we played with real creativity and purpose, but defensively, we fell short of the standards we set for ourselves. We pride ourselves on being hard to break down, and Saturday simply wasn’t good enough in that respect. As a group, we’ve spoken honestly about it this week and are focused on putting things right.

This weekend we face a very good Treowen side who have strengthened well and are enjoying a strong campaign. They’ve recruited smartly, adding quality and experience in key areas, and they always work hard for one another. I know several of their players personally, having managed some of them before, so I know exactly what they bring strong characters, a good attitude and a determination to compete. It should make for a competitive fixture and a real test for us as we look to respond in the right way.

On a personal note, it’s an honour to have been nominated for Manager of the Month after recently winning the award alongside Dan Bowen, who picked up Player of the Month. Recognition like that is a reflection of the collective effort from everyone involved at the club. I’m also delighted to see Sam Roberts nominated this month. He’s been excellent throughout the season and a real joy to watch.

Finally, this weekend’s game coincides with Remembrance Day. It’s an important moment for us all to pause and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Please join us in observing a moment of silence before kick we pay our respects.

Diolch

Match Report Cambrian

Cambrian 5-2 Cardiff Draconians

M&P Group 3G – 1st November 2025 – Attendance: 135

Match report by Josh Thomas.

Cardiff Draconians’ unbeaten run was ended by Cambrian United after a sevengoal thriller at the M&P Group 3G last Saturday (November 1).

In an exciting first half, where six goals were scored, it was the Dracs who took the lead through Sam Roberts’ early penalty after the inform forward slotted home into the bottom corner for his sixth goal from his last five games.

The Cymru South leaders responded through Liam Eason before Sam Cawley’s excellent low driven finish from the edge of the box put the visitors back in front.

However, the hosts levelled the scores through Cody Williams before two goals inside a minute turned the game on its head.

Eason’s superbly taken free made it 3-2 before Williams grabbed his second, and Cambrian to make it 4

taken after Cambrian won a penalty nine minutes from time.

Williams stepped up to send Harry Johnson the wrong way from the spot to secure his hat-trick and seal a five-star display for the hosts and end the Dracs’ nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

MoM - Marinho Manga

Johnson, Davies (Corson 72), Bridgeman (C), Kazadi, Manga, Cawley, S. Roberts, (Amin 63), Bowen, Treharne, Edwards (J.Roberts. 64)

Unused substitutions: Noaks, Lewis, Ball, Benford

Pics by Debbie Yanez
Pics by Debbie Yanez

Match Report

Vets vs Cascade

The Dracs faced a formidable challenge today against Cascade, who came into the game unbeaten. With no goalkeeper available, A. Pillar stepped up heroically just as T. Falcus had done the previous week to fill the gap between the posts.

From the first whistle, the Dracs looked to assert control, but it was clear this would be a physical battle. Cascade broke the deadlock early with a controversial handball decision, calmly converted by Norris. Despite the setback, the Dracs remained composed and continued to press, though struggled to find the final ball to unlock the attack.

B. Hartrey began to influence the game with some dazzling footwork, eventually finding P. Booker, who unleashed a stunning strike from 35 yards into the top corner, an equaliser that reflected the Dracs’ dominance in possession.

However, another questionable penalty decision gifted Cascade a second goal, again slotted home by Norris. With the score at 2–1 against the run of play, the Dracs didn’t lose focus. Their persistence paid off when Hartrey turned his marker on the wing and delivered a perfect pass for S. Gardner to tap in the equaliser.

Just before half-time, Cascade capitalised on a counterattack while the Dracs were pushing high for a third, making it 3–2 at the break.

Manager Alex North delivered a spot-on half-time team talk, urging the squad to play quicker and avoid overplaying. Tactical substitutions followed, and the Dracs came out firing.

M. Strange surged down the flank and chipped a teasing ball into the box, which fell to Hartrey, who finished coolly amidst a crowd of defenders 3–3. Momentum had shifted.

Hartrey, again at the heart of the action, danced past two defenders and was brought down in the box. He stepped up for the penalty, aiming bottom left. The keeper parried, but Hartrey was quickest to react and tucked away the rebound 4–3.

Then came a moment of redemption. Manager North gave C. Ashton a chance to make up for a quiet first half. Hartrey skipped past his marker once more and threaded a pass through to Ashton, who rifled it into the top corner. Cue the trademark celebration: shirt over the head, belly out classic Ashton.

The Dracs, determined not to repeat past mistakes, kept pushing. Hartrey yes, again slipped Ashton through one-on-one with the keeper, and Ashton made no mistake, slotting it into the bottom corner for 6–3.

It was a thrilling performance against a tough opponent, with plenty of crunching tackles and physicality. But the Dracs matched Cascade blow for blow. Manager North’s halftime message clearly resonated, and the second-half display was a testament to that.

Man of the Match: Ben Hartrey – a masterclass performance that even Zidane would’ve admired

Match Officials

Referee

Dale Randall

1st Assistant Referee Michelle Portelli

2nd Assistant Referee Ryan Tudor

Harry Johnson (GK)

Dylan Amin

Harry Noaks (GK) Sam Cawley

Luke Bridgeman (C)

Jacob Benford

Luke Davies

Dan Lewis

Efu Kazadi

Oscar Raisbeck

Marinho Manga

Nathan Mathias

Jamal Roberts

Manager

Assistant Manager

First Team Coach

Sam Roberts

Miles Corson

Harri Edwards

Dan Bowen

Luke Evans

Liam Mallam

Harry Treharne

Dafydd Ball

Lewis James

Nana Baah

Ben Hartrey

Paul Smith

Coach Darren Buttle

Goalkeeping Coach

Xabi Lorente

Physio Emma Ryan

Cael Jones

Treowen Squad

Steffan Roberts

Jaiden Foxwell

Callu Hodges

Craig McDonnell

Jordan Needs

Macsen Evans

Corey Jenkins

Christian Davies

Carter Campbell

Lewis Green

Elliot James

Elliot Humphries

Morgan Harriison

Isaac Richards

Max Horsman

Joseph Williams

Thomas Meechan

Manager Ben Murphy

Assistant Manager J Anderson

Coach T Rees

First Aider Gerrard Coote

Interview with Harry Noaks

Harry Noaks has no doubts Cardiff Draconians will bounce back against Treowen Stars.

The Dracs fell to their first defeat last Saturday since August away at Cambrian United after a nine game unbeaten run.

However, Noaks believes the Draconians have it in them to give any team in the Cymru South a game, starting this with the Stars at the Orange Llama Stadium this afternoon.

The shot stopper only joined the club in the summer and has quickly found himself involved in both the first team on Saturdays and a permanent fixture in the under-21s on Sunday.

He has appeared in all eight FAW National Reserve League South East game so far this season, including last Sunday’s 1-0 win away at Newport City, helping the high-flying youngsters claim their first win in three and third position in the table.

Noaks shares with media officer Joshua Thomas his thoughts on our defeat with Cambrian United, his time with the club so far, appearing for the youth section and today’s game with Treowen.

JT: Last Saturday marked our first defeat after a nine-game unbeaten run, how disappointing was that?

HN: Very disappointing, considering the form the squad has

t an easy game, especially against the league leaders, what

HN: The way Cambrian United played was swift, sharp and showed the level we need to be at to compete with the teams in and around us.

JT: How are you finding your time with the club so far?

ve got a great squad and great management, ve been with

s a brilliant community club, and having the fans and squad we have, made it the right choice to come during the summer window.

JT: A few weeks ago, saw you make your debut against Cwmbran Celtic, how did you find making your first appearance for the club?

HN: Really good. I am very pleased to get the go ahead from Nana and it was a proud moment for me and my family. I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to compete against a well-organised team.

JT: That game saw you become an instant hero with a superb penalty save, talk me through it, how do you prepare for something like that?

HN: I think for every keeper it’s different, some tend to look at their eyes some at the players body position. I saw the Cwmbran player put it down with an open body and I had a feeling he’d be putting it to my right. Luckily, he did which led to Bows (Dan Bowen) being able to put away the winner.

JT: How have you found training alongside Harry and being coached by Xabi, what have you learned from them both and how have they helped you improve?

HN: It’s brilliant. Every session it’s something new and I’m learning loads from the pair. Having Xabi as a coach and Harry as a player it’ll help my development.

JT: What are your aims and ambitions with this club? What do you want to achieve when you are with the Dracs?

HN: My aims with the club are to represent it at the highest level it can be. We’ve got all the talent as a group, and we know what we want.

JT: How do you find being part of the youth, how great is it to be part of a side doing well in the league so far this season? m really enjoying having the experience on a Saturday then being able to play on a Sunday.

JT: Having risen up to third in the table with five wins from your first eight games, how have you found your start to the season?

HN: I think we had an unexpected start to the league. Considering the form this year we have caught teams by surprise at the start. Our aim now is to finish within that top five prior to the leagues splitting.

JT: Up next is Treowen what are your thoughts on them?

HN: Treowen are a well organised team with a great manager and set up but we just need to stick to what we do best

JT: How important is it to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat with a positive display against Treowen?

HN: Very important. It’ll be a very tough game, but I’ve got no doubt that the lads will be able to bounce back after Saturday’s defeat.

JT: How important is it to start a new run of form, knowing there is talent within the side, having already done it once, and maintaining it?

HN: Very important and it starts on Saturday. When we get into a run of form, we know that on our day we can give any team in the league a game.

Pics by 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 £2875.

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.

Q&A with Harry!

Age? 19

Position? Goalkeeper

Favourite team? Cardiff City

Favourite meal? Chinese

Favourite car? Yellow Fiat Cinquecento

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

David Marshal, Max Dean, Sean Dyche

Go to Karaoke Song? Jenna by Dylan John Thomas

What is your best footballing attribute? Loudest on the pitch

Previous clubs? Trethomas Bluebirds, Cardiff Met

How long have you been with the club? Start of this season

Tell us one fact about you: I’m one of very few gingers in the family

Best player you have played with? Charlie Crew

Best player you have played against? Luke Tabone/Sam Parker

Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers:

Keep working hard and do extras

Pic by Josh Thomas
Pic by Josh Thomas

Fixtures

WBS Builders’ Merchants

The Yard

College Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff

Our team have a wealth of building supply knowledge and are more than happy to chat about your latest project with you

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.