Dracs v South Gower 4th January 2025 by Cardiff Draconians FC

Today’s Programme at a Glance

Manager’s message.

The squads.

Q&A with Jordan

Interview with Jordan.

Race Night

Tote & 100 club.

League Table

Upcoming Fixtures.

Managers’ Message

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to my good friends Ben, Dan, and everyone associated with South Gower. A special New Year's greeting goes out to all our supporters, fans, sponsors, committee members, and everyone who makes our club, the Dracs, what it is today.

We're facing South Gower, a team who won their last game and are always a challenging opponent. Ben and Dan prepare their squad exceptionally well, and they demonstrate a never say die attitude with genuine desire to win. Our previous encounters have been closely contested, and I anticipate nothing different today.

Our last match against Bridgend Street ended in a 2-1 victory, which was particularly memorable. Harri Edwards scored his first club goal, a massive confidence booster for him. I was also delighted to see Ollie Gray, Sam Sidman-Jones, and Gruff Nicol make the bench, reflecting their consistent hard work in our youth setup.

While our performance against Bridgend was strong, sometimes football is about grinding out results. Harry Johnson was deservedly man of the match, making a crucial penalty save and a last secured our three points.

Today presents another tough challenge, but as always, we're looking forward to it.

Diolch yn fawr,

Nana Baah

Pic by Josh Thomas

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Interview with Jordan

Despite being the oldest player at Cardiff Draconians Jordan Coles experience is what makes him stand out from the rest.

Despite being a mere 36, Coles, who only joined in the summer, has helped the Dracs become the only team in the Ardal South West be unbeaten with ten wins and three draws from their first 13 games.

Ahead of our return to action with South Gower this afternoon Coles shares with media officer Joshua Thomas his time with the club so far, his aims and ambitions, maintain his hunger for the game and his thoughts on today’s opponents.

JT: Tell me about your time with the Dracs, how much are you enjoying it and what has it been like so far?

JC: I have really enjoyed my time with the club so far. Great management team and committee all working together to take the club forward. Great bunch of players all with a fantastic attitude and they want to win week in week out.

JT: What made you join the club in the summer, what is it like to be part of the Dracs?

JC: I played with Nana (Baah) about 16 years ago and we have always kept in touch. I spoke with him in the summer and he asked if I would be interested in coming along training. I am really happy I made that decision being with a great group of players and having a great start to the season couldn’t have gone any better for the club so far.

JT: I believe you were appointed co-manager, alongside Jonathan Price, of AFC Llwydcoed a few years back is that something you want to do long term and what lessons have you taken from it?

JC: Yes, so, three years ago I took over as player/manager of AFC Llwydcoed. I enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot during the last three years. The only difficulty I found was managing and playing at the same time so it’s great just to concentrate on playing for the last couple of years I have left until I retire. It’s certainly something I would like to return to in the future

JT: Being one of the most experienced players in what is a young side, what do you bring to the group and how will that experience help the team going forward?

JC: We do currently have a youthful side, and it only feels like yesterday I was starting out in my career and can’t believe I am currently the oldest in the squad. So, I remind the players that things are going well at the moment, but we need to maintain our standards in training and ensure we continue to perform week in and week out and keep this great start to the season and not take it for granted. In terms of how we play I feel I bring composure to the team and my main attribute has always been creating opportunities we have a lot of players with pace in the team so I am hoping I can contribute by trying to create chances/goals for them.

JT: What is it like to be part of this side?

JC: It’s been really enjoyable being part of this side I don’t know if they have enjoyed me as much though as I’m currently the fines master, so I take a lot of money from all the players.

JT: What do you hope to achieve with the Dracs, what are your personal aims and ambitions for the rest of the season?

JC: I am hoping to be part of a successful season and finish with a winner’s medal is the main ambition. My own personal aim is to potentially get some more minutes moving forward. I pulled my hamstring beginning of the season and was out for a number of weeks so this set me back, but I’ve come through it now. And touch wood my hamstring is feeling much better. My main focus as always is to be upbeat and positive influence around the dressing room.

JT: Ahead of return to league action on Saturday there is still a long way to go of course but how pleased are you with the start we have made?

JC: It’s been a fantastic start to the season in the league for us. As you say it’s a long season to go and with us in winter now this will present some tough weather conditions no doubt. We need to keep the same mentality as we have had thus far, not become complacent and take each game as it comes.

JT: What’s been the secret to our good run of form?

JC: I would say the players have really listened to the management group and taken on instructions well and carried them out well on the pitch. I also feel all the players are hungry for success so drives us on week in and week out to continue the form we have shown up to this point and bring a trophy to the club

JT: How great is it to be home and how important is it to maintain your good run of form?

JC: We need to continue to make our home fixtures a place for away teams to dread coming here and playing us. Really important as I’ve mentioned earlier that we don’t get complacent of where we are currently and want to keep pushing and striving to do better week in and week out. Also being home and using our recent new goals there be a few of the players who will want to be the first to put the ball in the back of the net.

JT: This our first home game in a while due to the bad weather, how do you feel about taking on South Gower today?

JC: No, as you said it is always great to be home, hopefully we can rise to the occasion and with us having a few weeks away from home we are all really looking forward to being back here playing and will give it our all to try and secure three points today.

by Debbie Yanez and Josh Thomas

Match Officials

Referee Paul Wiseman

1st Assistant Referee Paul Fisher

2nd Assistant Referee Adam Bray

Dracs Squad

Harry Johnson (GK) Callum Beckett

Luke Bridgeman (C)

Jacob Benford

Dylan Amin

Sam Cawley

Luke Davies Jamal Roberts

Dan Lewis

Efu Kazadi

Nathan Mathias

Marinho Manga

Sam Roberts

Jordan Coles

Simon Aynalem

Harri Edwards

Manager Nana Baah

Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey

Assistant Manager Paul Smith

Coach Phil Booker

Coach Darren Buttle

Physio Emma Ryan

South Gower Squad

Sam Williams

Callum Humphteys

Emyr Hughes

Jack Jones

Owen Evans

Liam Bennett

Louis Jackson

Jefferson Brown-Pinheiro

Jack Donnelly

Samuel Ash

Arnold Alexander

Kieran Norman

Luke Benton

Jonathan Rees

Robert Morgans

Finlay Harris

1st Team Manager B Leahy

Coach D Davies

Coach B Jenkins

Coach R Evans

1st Aider O Darrah

SAT 8th FEB

Q&A with Colesy!

Favourite Football team? Cardiff City

Favourite meal? Steak

Favourite car? Ford Fiesta

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

Muhammad Ali, Roy Keane and Donald Trump

Go to Karaoke Song? The Killers – Mr. Brightside

What is your best footballing attribute? Composure

Previous clubs? Cambrian & Clydach, Ton Pentre, AFC Llwydcoed and Penrhiwceiber Rangers

How long have you been with the club? First season.

Tell me one interesting fact about you? I was a personal trainer in Qatar, while working there I trained members of the royal family!

Best player you have ever played with? Richard Dennis

Best player you have ever played against? Chris Summers

Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers? Talent gets you so far hard work and desire is what sets you aside from the rest.

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