Issuu

Today’s Programme at a Glance

Manager’s message.

Interview with Kaz.

The squads.

Dracs Vets.

Tote and 100 club

Match Reports.

Q&A with Kaz.

League Table

Upcoming fixtures.

Managers’ Message

I extend a warm welcome to Pontyclun FC at the Orange Llama Stadium today.

Pontyclun is a well-respected club, consistently proving to be a formidable opponent. Last season, we were fortunate to secure a draw at home. This shows how good they can be on their day.

In our previous match against Cardiff Corries, we ended in a 2-2 draw, having squandered several opportunities. To compete effectively against Evans & Williams, who are in excellent form, we must sharpen our finishing.

I have faith that the team will rectify past errors and deliver a compelling performance today.

Thank you for support, and enjoy the match!

Diolch

Nana Baah

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Interview with Kaz

Efu Kazadi believes more should be done to help players who get released from football academies. Before his time with the Dracs, Kazadi spent two and a half years with Southampton after joining the South Coast club at the age of 16, where he played against the likes of current Manchester United and England international Jadon Sancho, before his departure from the now newly promoted Premier League side at the age of 18.

After spells with Carmarthen, Abergavenny and Goytre, Kazadi is going into his second season with Cardiff Draconians.

He shares with media officer Joshua Thomas his time with the Saints, playing against Jadon Sancho, what more needs to be done to help players, his best position and facing Pontyclun this afternoon.

JT: Tell me about your background with Southampton Academy.

EK: At Southampton I was a striker, I was living in the digs out there and it was good. It was fun. A lot of training, a lot of hard work. I left Southampton when I was 18, I didn’t get my first year professional contract but I enjoyed it. I learnt a lot from the coaches there and a lot from the players.

JT: Having played against Jadon Sancho what was he like?

EK: He was a very, very good player. Very good on the ball, composed and silky. He had very good skills, at a young age as well. He was 15 playing for the under-18s so you can imagine how good he was.

JT: With those players you played against, like Jadon Sancho, how has that helped improve your game. We have had Dylan (Amin) who has also played with the likes of Callum O’Hare and against James Maddison, to play against top quality opposition it’s a good thing isn’t it?

EK: Yeah it is. It motivates me, it gives me that motivation to do better for myself to become a better player.

JT: Do you think there should be more done to help young players get through that process?

EK: 100%. I feel like we should get more scouts especially as you get older. We don’t get a lot of attention. They look for mostly younger players but there is still a lot of quality players my age out there. I feel like we need the recognition.

JT: What would you put in place?

EK: In terms of coming out of an Academy, with the cultures there, they should help players become coaches, maybe agents or just help find teams out there that are in the professional league, maybe not as high, but 100% I feel like the coaches could help more in the academies.

JT: What would you say to players who have been told they are no longer with an academy?

EK: Just keep believing in yourself and someday, one day, someone will see you, spot you, and you never know where it could go. Don’t give up on yourself and just keep doing what you do best as a player.

JT: Do you feel the Dracs have helped you?

EK: Yes, 100%. Especially from leaving Carmarthen coming back here, coming back with Nana (Baah) it’s been a huge confidence boost. I feel like I lost my style of football going to Carmarthen but coming back here I’m slowly but surely becoming a solid left-back.

JT: Having played as striker how have you adapted to playing left-back?

ve worked a lot on my defensive work. Going forward hasn’t been really a problem because I was a striker. But I’m adapting very well to the left-back position, I’m enjoying it and having fun

JT: Why left-back, was there a reason for the change?

EK: I feel like it’s just my strongest position right now. I’ve got a good left foot and I can drive with the ball as a left-back.

JT: It’s been a good start to the season so far with two wins and two draws in the Ardal South, through in the two cup competitions. You can’t take anything for granted though and with Pontyclun coming to the Orange Llama Stadium it’s going to be a tough game isn’t it?

EK: A very tough game. Especially from (our game at Cardiff Corries) we have had a few injuries. Hopefully we can keep the momentum going with some of the players out but I have a lot of faith in this squad. I feel like as a unit we are enjoying it, we back each other and it’s nice. It’s a good set of lads.

JT: What are your thoughts on Pontyclun?

EK: They are a tough team. We played them at the end of last season. It was neck and neck until the last two minutes when Jamal (Roberts) scored a wonderful goal. Hopefully we don’t slack off against them and we keep that unbeaten momentum going.

Pics by Debbie Yanez and Josh Thomas

Match Officials

Referee Vasilica Valentin Ciuplea

1st Assistant Referee Jamie Griffin

2nd Assistant Referee Jason Lewis

Dracs Squad

Harry Johnson (GK)

Efu Kazadi

Dan Lewis Jamal Roberts

Charlie Hanson Taylor Ali Brisam

Callum Beckett

Luke Bridgeman (C)

Connor Graham

Marinho Manga

Nathan Mathias

Dylan Amin

Sam Cawley

Sam Roberts

Ibby Sani

Jordan Fofana

Manager Nana Baah

Assistant Manager Paul Smith

Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey

Coach Phil Booker

Goalkeeper Coach Dan Hurton

Coach Darren Buttle

Aaron Tyner

Aled Davies

Pontyclun Squad

Jackson Acreman

James Gronow

Arjen Matthews Jordan Lawrence

Ashley Beckett

Joshua Jones

Ben Price Kieran Lawrence (Capt)

Chris Darlington Lennie Norris

Chris Rato (GK)

Cory Sibley

Daniel Roderick

Glyn Davies

Harvey Howell

Iestyn Stone

Manager

Matthew Jacka

Michael Jones

Nick Guildford

Ryan David

Ryan Fleming (GK)

Sam Brown

Peter Banks

Coach Ross Youlden

Coach Martin Lawrence

First Aid

Dean Oakley

Match Reports

Reports by Josh Thomas

Cardiff Draconians produced their best performance of the season so far after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morriston Town.

The Dracs grabbed the only goal of the game through Dylan Amin in the 27th minute at the Orange Llama Stadium.

Captain Luke Bridgeman’s long ball over the top found the forward, who picked up on hesitant defending by Town before he moved the ball to the edge of the area and fired home with an unstopped effort to make it 1-0 at half-time.

Sam Cawley had a chance to make it two after the break but his penalty was superbly saved by visiting goalkeeper Steven Cann.

But Cardiff Dracs dug deep and worked hard for each other to get their well-deserved second successive victory in all competitions.

Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, Lewis, Kazadi, Bridgeman (C), Benford, Manga, Jamal Roberts (Beckett 69), Mathias, Sam Roberts (Shewring 90), Amin (Sani 78), Cawley

Substitutions not used: Vincent and Brisam

Pics by Debbie Yanez and Josh Thomas

Cardiff Draconians had to settle for a point after they were held to a 2-2 draw at 10-man Cardiff Corinthians

All four goals were scored in a breathless first half at Cwrt-yr-Ala.

The Corries broke the deadlock in the fourth minute through Thierry Otu a short time after Dylan Amin had struck the post for the visitors.

The 17-year-old midfielder pounced upon a mistake by the Dracs and he was able to glide through before placing the ball into the bottom corner.

However, Cardiff Draconians equalised from the penalty spot in the 25th minute through Sam Roberts, whose powerful effort was too much for home goalkeeper Elliot Matthews.

10 minutes later the Dracs went in front for the first time.

Jamal Roberts’ corner found Efu Kazadi and the left into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season. However, just before half-time referee Glyn Thomas pointed to the spot for a second penalty, this time in favour of the Corries for a suspected handball.

And Aaron Davies stepped up to send the ball into the bottom corner, past the outstretched dive of visiting goalkeeper Harry Johnson to make it level at half-time.

Both sides came out after the break in search of a winner but it was Cardiff Corries who ended the match with 10 men.

Substitute Mo Djalo picked up two yellow cards in quick succession, including for pushing manager Nana Baah over, but the game ended all-square. Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, Lewis (Beckett 64), Kazadi, Bridgeman (C), Benford, Manga, Jamal Roberts, Mathias, Sam Roberts, Amin (Sani 87), Cawley

Substitutions not used: Shewring, Vincent and Brisam

DRACS VETS VETS

Cardiff Dracs have an exciting new season ahead launching two new teams in the over 35’s and over 40’s vets leagues.

Are you over 35 or over 40 and looking to stay fit and enjoy football?

We invite enthusiastic players to join us for an exciting season ahead. For further information contact:

or higgsaps@hotmail.com

Q&A with Kaz!

Favourite Football team? Chelsea

Favourite meal? Pizza

Favourite car? Lamborghini Urus

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

Nana Baah, Michael Jackson and Steve Jobs

Go to Karaoke Song? Candy by Robbie Williams

What is your best attribute? Speed and strength

Previous clubs? Carmarthen, Abergavenny and Goytre

How long have you been with the club? Two seasons

Tell me one fact about you? I used to be a striker

Best player you have ever played with? Dan Nlundulu

Best player you have ever played against? Jadon Sancho

Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers? Stay focused

Pic by Josh Thomas

Pic by Debbie Yanez

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 £1275.

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.