Dracs V Morriston Town 6th August 2024 by Cardiff Draconians FC

Morriston Town AFC

Today

’s

Programme at a Glance

Manager’s message.

The squads.

Dracs Vets.

Tote and 100 club

Interview with Dylan.

Match Report.

Q&A with Dylan.

League Table

Upcoming fixtures.

Managers’ Message

Welcome to the Orange Llama stadium, and a warm greeting to all associated with Morriston.

We’re excited to introduce Gareth Saddler as the new coach for our Under 19s team. Gareth’s extensive experience and passion for coaching make him an excellent addition to our club, and we’re confident he’ll play a crucial role in developing our future Dracs players.

Morriston Town presents a formidable challenge with their perfect league record and impressive new signings. Our previous encounters with them have been tough, and we anticipate another hard-fought match today.

I’m looking for improved performance and increased effort from our squad in this game. Our team has been strengthening, and I can accomplish on the field. With our bolstered lineup, we challenges ahead and showcase our potential.

Diolch

Nana Baah

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Interview with Dylan

Every upcoming footballer dreams of being involved with the best players and the best sides, for Dylan Amin he can say he was part of that.

Amin was scouted by Aston Villa at the age of 15 and played with the likes of Sheffield United’s Callum O and against current England international and Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison before his release by the Villains at the age of 16 after having a discectomy due to a back injury, which ruled him out of the game for a year and a half.

Amin has since gone to play for the likes of Taffs Well, Caerau Ely and Treharris before arriving at Cardiff Draconians last summer.

Now in his second season Amin shares with media officer Josh Thomas his time with the Premier League club, what more needs to be done to help those who get released and what a special place the Dracs is.

What was it like to be part of Aston Villa?

It was special. It just feels professional to be honest, like the set up. I used to go down, they used to keep me in a hotel over night and I would train all day. I missed a quite lot of school. Obviously, I would catch up with the work when I was out there. It was just crazy to be in such a professional environment.

How did it help develop your game?

It was an amazing experience; I learned a lot. Obviously, there was a lot of top-quality players and coaches. It taught me the most important thing is perfecting the basis in football and getting all the basis spot on and building from that.

How has the disappointment of that injury helped you come back stronger?

Not being able to play for 18 months obviously hurt and it gave me motivation to look after my body more and to make sure I am always stretching, going to the gym, keep moving all the time. I don’t want that to happen again.

Do you think more needs to be done to help players who get released from academies to ensure there is something outside football for them?

Yeah, definitely. I think a lot of people just sit on one thing. Obviously, they want to be a footballer, which is like tunnel vision. That’s all they have got. I think a lot more support is needed when players are let down from clubs, especially big clubs. It can be a depressing time for people who have their mindset only on being a footballer with nothing else they want to do in life. A lot more support could be beneficial.

How can help be given when ensuring players who are released by their clubs, what should be in place for upcoming players?

It’s a tough one and I don’t think it gets spoken about enough, but I feel like more guidance and support is needed by the PFA and other leading bodies in football to show players that there’s a world outside of the bubble of football. As you can imagine, when a young player is told that they aren’t good enough for their dream to happen it can feel like their world is ending and I don’t think it’s right that players are just kind of expected to get on with it. I feel like more emotional support / counselling is key and more guidance into choosing alternate career path’s, university courses, apprenticeships, internships.

What is it like behind the scenes at the Dracs, do you think there is something special here?

Yeah, I think there is. A lot of us boys have played together for a good few years. I have played with Nathan (Mathias), and Bridgey (Luke Bridgeman) for six, seven years now. It’s kind of like a family behind the scenes. Nana (Baah) has been my coach a good few years, Ben (Hartrey) has come in and added a lot. So, yeah definitely something special.

Some big games coming up with Morriston Town on Tuesday and Cardiff Corinthians on Friday night, what are your thoughts on Morriston?

We have obviously heard they have strengthened their squad a lot. They look a lot stronger this season. It will definitely be a tough game. But last season we turned up for the big games and I think it will be no different on Tuesday.

What are your thoughts on Cardiff Corinthians, a local Cardiff clash. How great would it be to get one over them?

It would be big, but I think we just need to focus on Tuesday before we get to that to be honest. I think our full focus should be on Morriston right now. Obviously, we can’t take anything lightly. So, I think get back to that game and then we can focus on the big one on Friday as well.

Pics by Debbie Yanez and Josh Thomas

Match Officials

Referee Cieran Lebreton

1st Assistant Referee Owain Locke

2nd Assistant Referee David Plain

Dracs Squad

Harry Johnson (GK)

Dan Lewis

Jacob Benford

Callum Beckett

Luke Bridgeman (C)

George Shewring

Marinho Manga

Nathan Mathias

Efu Kazadi

Jamal Roberts

Ali Brisam

Dylan Amin

Sam Cawley

Sam Roberts

Ibby Sani

Ben Vincent

Manager Nana Baah

Assistant Manager

Paul Smith

Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey

Coach Phil Booker

Goalkeeper Coach Dan Hurton

Coach Darren Buttle

J Harding

N Beniamous

J Dickerson

Morriston Squad

S Minty Walker

B Lowe

S Davey

L Logan K Howard

L Harris

D Williams

M Bennett

C Lewis-Clarke

J Tizard-Varcoe B Taylor

S Harrison Z Williams

Manager Johnny Martin

Coach J Coates

Coach A Morrow

Match Report Tonyrefail

Report by Josh Thomas

Sam Cawley’s penalty ensured 10-man Cardiff Draconians a place in the next round of the FAW Amateur Trophy after a narrow but hard fought win against Tonyrefail BGC.

However, the Dracs were left grateful to goalkeeper Harry Johnson after he saved well at point-blank range from Jackson Magni with the tie’s first chance at the Orange Llama Stadium.

That served as a let off for the hosts, who grew into the game as Efu Kazadi, on his return to the starting line-up after serving a one-match suspension following his red card against AFC Llwydcoed, flashed a shot wide. Cawley, who was a constant threat all match, headed over George Shewring’

With the wind in their sails Cardiff Dracs were denied by the woodwork twice in quick succession. First Sam Roberts fantastic run and shot saw the forward desperately unlucky as his drive struck the post. Cawley then saw his corner find Charlie Taylor, who rose highest but saw his header crash against the crossbar.

Pics by Debbie Yanez and Josh Thomas

But in stoppage time at the end of the first half gave the Dracs the goal they deserved.

Kazadi’s trickery and magic earned the hosts a penalty and Cawley stepped up to slot the ball into the back of the net for his third goal of the season in all competitions.

The goal gave the Dracs confidence and starts the second half in control.

Taylor headed wide from a Cawley corner and Nathan Mathias saw an effort fly just wide of the post before the hosts went down to 10-men in the 70th minute.

Dan Lewis found himself on the wrong side of Magni, who brought the forward down on the edge of the penalty area and was shown a straight red card. And the visitors found Johnson in fine form after Jac Clements found Magni as the Dracs number one kept out his effort with his foot.

Dylan Jones then tried his luck with but his strike flew straight into Johnson’s gloves. There was still time for Roberts to go close late on. He played a one-two with captain for the day Marinho Manga and fired for goal but his effort hit the side netting, but the Dracs maintained their unbeaten start to the season with victory.

Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, Lewis,

Unused substitutions: Brisam

Shewring (Bridgeman 74), Taylor, Benford, Manga, Kazadi, Farley (Mathias 46), Sam Roberts, Jamal Roberts (Sani 60), Cawley (Amin 82)

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 Dylan!

Favourite Football team? Liverpool

Favourite meal? Indian

Favourite car? BMW

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

Jurgen Klopp, Dwayne The Rock Johnson and Kayne West

Go to Karaoke Song? Stand By Me Ben E King.

What is your best footballing attribute? Work rate

Previous clubs? Taffs Well, Caerau Ely and Treharris.

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

Tell me one fact about you: My Dad is from Kurdistan.

Best player you have ever played with? Callum O’Hare.

Best player you have ever played against? James Maddison.

Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers? Don’t let anything get to your head, keep your feet on the ground and just keep working hard.

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.