JD Cymru South Match Day 11
Match Report
The Squads
Manager’s Message
Player Interview
Man of the Match
Player Q&A League
Fixtures
Managers’ Message
A warm welcome to everyone joining us at the Orange Llama Stadium today, especially my friend Paul Evans and his Trethomas Bluebirds squad. It’s always a privilege to host Paul and his teams.
Paul has done a tremendous job in rebuilding Trethomas and their progress in recent games is testament to his leadership and the work of his coaching staff and group. We’re expecting a real test today, but that’s what makes these fixtures so rewarding.
We approach this match on the back of an excellent 3-1 win over Dinas Powys last weekend, where the team produced some of good football in particular in the first half. Sam Roberts was on fire after scoring 3 goals in 37 minutes which is no easy task.
Personally, I’m delighted and grateful to have received the Manager of the Month award. It’s only possible thanks to the commitment and attitude of our players and staff. It’s a collective achievement that reflects all the hard work behind the scenes. Congratulations also to Dan Bowen, who picked up the Player of the Month award. Dan has shown fantastic consistency and sets a superb example for the rest of the group.
This afternoon promises to be a tough encounter, but it’s another opportunity for us to show our character and ambition as a club. We need to build on recent momentum and continue performing with pride and commitment for our supporters. Thank you for your support today, and I hope you enjoy an entertaining and hard-fought match here at the Orange Llama Stadium.
Diolch yn fawr, Nana Baah
Match Report Dinas Powis
Dinas Powis FC 1-3 Cardiff Draconians
Murchfield – 18th October 2025 – Attendance: 240 Match report by Josh Thomas.
Sam Roberts bagged a 21-minute first-half hat-trick to help Cardiff Draconians claim a 3-1 away at Dinas Powys in the JD Welsh Cup on Saturday (October 18).
Roberts picked up his first from the penalty spot in the sixth minute, with his low drive into the bottom corner too powerful for Jack Jenkins in the home goal at The Murch.
Keena Hinds drew Harry Johnson into a save after his low driven effort was gathered by the Dracs number one before Roberts scored twice in quick succession.
The forward grabbed his first in the 36th minute with a superb first-time effort inside the box from Jamal Roberts’ lovely weighted ball before moments later Harry Treharne ran onto William Thomas’ poor pass and fired towards goal from the edge of the area, which Jenkins could only parry into the path of Roberts and he was left with a simple task of slotting home to make it 3-0 at half-time.
The Dracs went in search for a fourth through Nathan Mathias, who saw his curling effort far too comfortable for Jenkins in the 52nd minute when his shot was easily held by the visitors number one.
Jenkins was again in the way four minutes later when he denied Harri Edwards with a superb save, and from the following corner Roberts picked the ball up after an attempted clearance reached him but he could only shoot wide.
The hosts, however, kept going and went close through Luke Davidson but the substitute’s effort from the edge of the area was tipped onto the bar superbly by Johnson in the 67th minute.
But Dinas Powys grabbed a consolation in the 74th minute when Temitope Adekunle tapped home to give the South Wales Premier League Championship Division side something to cheer about.
But the day belonged to Nana Baah’s men as they claimed a historic victory to secure a place in the third round for the first time in their history.
Cardiff Draconians: Johnson,
Unused substitutions: Evans
Pics by Debbie Yanez
Bridgeman, Kazadi, Mathias (Bowen 64), S. Roberts, Amin (Manga 54), Corson (Cawley 64), Ball, Treharne (Hartrey 90), J. Roberts, Edwards
September Manager & Player of the Month
Cardiff Draconians’ Nana Baah and Dan Bowen have won the Cymru South’s manager and player of the month awards for September.
The Dracs enjoyed an impressive month, picking up 10 points from a possible 12, including morale-boasting wins over Aberystwyth Town (3-1), Afan Lido (3-1) and Llantwit Major (2-0) as well as a goalless draw away at Baglan Dragons.
Cardiff Draconians also scored eight goals and conceded two from their four games to move up to fourth in the table.
Baah beat off competition from Trefelin’s Andy Hill and Newport City’s Sam Houldsworth to win the prize.
“It should be called Team of the Month really, because it’s all about the players and also the management team,” said Baah.
“I’m really pleased we won the award and it’s a we award. It’s not really about me, so I’m really pleased.”
Bowen was in fine form as he found the back of the net four times in four matches, including goals against both Afan Lido and Llantwit Major and scored twice against Aberystwyth Town.
He came on top of a four-man shortlist, which included Trefelin’s Luke Bowen, Cambrian United’s Liam Eason and Aberystwyth Town’s Jonathan Evans.
“It means a lot, my goals are getting recognised and I’ve to give credit to the team as well,” Bowen said.
“Because if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be scoring these goals, so I’m really pleased.”
Interview with Dafydd Ball
To play for Cardiff Draconians is often one filled with pride and joy but for Dafydd Ball it is a little more personal for him.
Ball is following in his father’s footsteps after his Dad, Rhys Ball, played for the club between 2000 and 2004. Having arrived earlier this season from Canton he has proved to be a valuable addition to the team.
Ball’s arrival at the club has coincided with the Dracs going on an eight-game run without defeat in all competitions and rising up to fourth in table.
And the left-back shares with media officer Joshua Thomas on beating Dinas Powys to reach the third round of the JD Welsh Cup for the first time in our history last weekend, his time with the club so far, our unbeaten run and facing Trethomas Bluebirds this afternoon.
JT: Last Saturday saw us beat Dinas Powis after a tale of two halves, how great was it to get the win but you made it more difficult than it should have been wasn’t it?
DB: We definitely thought that we could’ve brought a stronger performance, especially in the second half, however, it note that anything can happen in the Cup, and at the end of the day it was great to get that win and go through to the Third Round.
JT: The win meant we are in the third round for the first time in our history, I know you haven’t been part of the side very long, but what does that mean to you, the group of players and staff and the fans for getting that far?
DB: Every milestone is massive in a season like we’re having, not just for the players but for everyone around the club. Especially for me getting both my starts in the Cup, I feel like it’s been a great place to show what I can do, and also acclimatise to the way that the coaches want us playing.
JT: How have you found your time at the club so far?
DB: I’ve really enjoyed my time at the club so far. It’s always been an important club for my family as my Dad grew up locally and played for the Dracs in the early noughties. It’s been great in a footballing sense too, the quality is very good throughout, and with form the way it is there real feel good factor around the group.
JT: How great was it to know there was interest in you to play for the club, especially after your Dad played for the club, was that a factor behind your decision to sign and how great is it to be able to play for the club, like your Dad did?
DB: I think it was definitely a factor to be able to play for the club my Dad played for years ago, especially as he and my Mum travel far and wide to watch all the games I play. But as I’ve said I’m very grateful to be a part of the squad playing at the level we are, so really it’s just an added bonus that he played here.
JT: We are now unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, what does that mean to you all and how great is it to be on a run like this?
DB: To keep a run like that in such a competitive league with so much money flying around is a massive testament to the performances that have been put out this season.
JT: Up next is Trethomas Bluebirds, how much are you looking forward to
ve got a few mates from my previous club Canton playing for them, which is certainly the type of game you want to be involved in. It will be a real test as every m confident we can keep the form going.
Match Officials
Referee Christopher Ball
1st Assistant Referee Darren Hales
2nd Assistant Referee Aaron Paskell
Harry Johnson (GK) Dylan Amin
Harry Noaks (GK) Sam Cawley
Luke Bridgeman (C) Sam Roberts
Jacob Benford
Miles Corson
Luke Davies Harri Edwards
Dan Lewis
Efu Kazadi
Oscar Raisbeck
Marinho Manga
Nathan Mathias
Jamal Roberts
Manager
Assistant Manager
First Team Coach
Dan Bowen
Luke Evans
Liam Mallam
Harry Treharne
Dafydd Ball
Lewis James
Nana Baah
Ben Hartrey
Paul Smith
Coach Darren Buttle
Goalkeeping Coach
Fitness Coach
Xabi Lorente
Abdoulie Ann
Physio Emma Ryan
Trethomas Squad
Suleimane Susso
Elliot Jones
Travis James
Dylan Salmoni
Ben Keen
Dylan Dinham
Joseph Shephard
Kallum Thomas
Norton Ferreira
Joshua Williams
Jay Thomas
Jonathan Hood
Dylan Meek
Alfie Clark
Jack Shaw
Haben Samson
Kavan O’Leary
Thomas Hayes
Alex Newman-Jones
William Francis-Obeng
Manager Paul Evans
Assistant Manager
Assistant Manager
Paul Reid
Leighton Jones
Coach Lee Moore
Goalkeeper Coach
First Aider
Gareth Williams
Kaycee Napper
JD WELSH CUP R2
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 £2825.
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 Dafydd!
Age? 19
Position? Left Back
Favourite team? Cardiff City
Favourite meal? Sunday Dinner
Favourite car? Still got my green licence
If you could have any three dinner guests who would they be?
David Bowie, Kevin McNaughton and Lionel Messi
Go to Karaoke Song? This Charming Man - The Smiths
What is your best footballing attribute? Work rate.
Previous clubs? Canton, Cambrian Development
How long have you been with the club? About 2 months
Tell us one fact about you: I can speak Spanish!
Best player you have played with? Troy Perrett
Best player you have played against? Ronan Kpakio
Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers:
Keep at it. Even when you’re up against it if you keep at it you’ll always find a way through the bad moments.
Pic by Josh Thomas
Pic by Debbie Yanez
Fixtures
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