Dracs v Ynyshir 9th November 2024 by Cardiff Draconians FC

Ynyshir Albions

Today’s Programme at a Glance

Manager’s message.

Interview with Jacob

The squads.

Q&A with Jacob.

League Table

1sts Match Report.

Tote and 100 club

Upcoming fixtures.

Managers’ Message

Welcome to The Orange Llama Stadium, where we face our old rivals and friends, Ynyshir.

Today's match follows a disappointing 1-0 defeat in the FAW Trophy against Brickfield, who capitalised on their solitary opportunity. Despite showcasing some excellent football, our finishing was lacking. I want to wish Brickfield the very best in the next round.

Ynyshir Albion presents a different challenge; they are known for their physicality and relentless work ethic. With only three points separating us in the league, this match is crucial for both teams as we compete at the top end of the table so I’m anticipating a fiercely competitive match.

I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to our new forward, Harri Edwards, who joins us from Taffs Well. I’ve long admired Harri’s talent and had hoped to recruit him over the summer, but he chose to play at a higher level then. It great to see him here now!

I really hope you enjoy the game today!

Diolch Nana Baah

Pic by Josh Thomas

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Interview with Jacob

into the next round of the FAW Amateur Trophy, how will you learn from this?

JB: I think it was a disappointing game but what we have come away from it with and what we learn is the most important thing. We have got to be more clinical in the future. We dominated most part of the game and we have had plenty of chances. If we put those away then we will come away with the win and a place in the next round. In future, moving forward, we just have to make sure we are taking our chances and be ruthless when we are on top of the game.

JT: You have been with this club for a few months, how are you finding it?

JB: It’s been really good. I think the group of boys here are great. I’ve settled in very quickly. I think it’s helpful that there are a lot of boys similar in age as me. I think the age group of the boys are good. It’s a really good group of boys, everyone gets on well and I think when you are enjoying your football that’s when you end up playing best. So, if you are enjoying the people you are playing with then you are going to play well.

JT: What kind of things have you done to bond with each other? Have you guys gone out and done things together?

JB: Obviously we go to the clubhouse after games. On away days we might go to Nando’s after the games as a group and we had a team social not too long ago. Things like that, I think, are important to bring the group even more tight knit.

JT: How does it feel to play for this team, what is it like to be around this side?

JB: I think anytime you are in a group of players, in a team who are pushing to go and win the league or win cups, whatever it might s enjoyable. I think the most important thing is you are enjoying your football and with this group of boys it’s enjoyable, whether we are in training or we are in games, and obviously winning helps that, and with the start to the season that’s definitely helped.

JT: What are your thoughts on Ynyshir Albions, what do you know about them?

JB: We played them in the Welsh Cup away from home and we won 2-1, that was one of my first games at the start of the season. They are a tough outfit; it’s not going to be an easy game. I think there are no easy games in this league really. They are going to be tough to beat, they are going to be aggressive, well-managed, good outfit. It’s not going to be an easy game but going into every game with these boys we are full of confidence. I never go into a game thinking “we might not win this today” even when we go a goal down. As a defender we go a goal down and I think those boys are going to get a goal back for us or we are going to get a goal back wherever it comes from. I think there is a confidence that we go into every game thinking we are going to win this.

JT: You mentioned that game we played earlier in the season against them, that was a really good win, especially away from home. Are you expecting them to take the game to you?

JB: Of course, they are going to use that as extra motivation. I think any side does really. They are going to think we went 1them and they went on to beat us 2-1, well we can definitely get something from this game but that’s on us to make sure we don come away with three points.

JT: Last Saturday against Brickfield Rangers was our first defeat at home all season how important is to get back that momentum at home?

JB: It’s massive. It’s the age old saying make your home pitch a fortress and so far we have done a good job of it and obviously we need to keep that coming. We want it so that people think “oh no we have got to go and play the Dracs next week.” We want to be somewhere where teams don they are in for a long Saturday and they are in for a tough game as we have been playing so far we have been able to do that. So, just continue on that path.

t lost two games in succession for a long while, just how important is that team spirit to ensure you go into your game with Ynyshir and hopefully get over the line, ensuring you put your defeat against Brickfield Rangers behind you?

s massive that we bounce back and show character, which we know we have got, because it obviously hasn’t happened before (this season) and make sure we go back to good habits and go and get three points and move on the way we want

Match Officials

Referee Matt John

1st Assistant Referee

Darren Hales

2nd Assistant Referee Henry Travis-Drew

Dracs Squad

Harry Johnson (GK)

Luke Bridgeman (C)

Jacob Benford

Charlie Hansen-Taylor

Dan Lewis

Efu Kazadi

Nathan Mathias

Marinho Manga

Callum Beckett

Dylan Amin

Sam Cawley

Jamal Roberts

Sam Roberts

Ibby Sani

Jordan Coles

Ben Vincent

Manager Nana Baah

Assistant Manager

Paul Smith

Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey

Coach Phil Booker

Goalkeeper Coach Dan Hurton

Coach Darren Buttle

Physio Emma Ryan

Harry Webber (GK)

Ynyshir Squad

Cory Morgan

Keane Thomas Joshua Owen

Jags Norton

Chad Goss

Sean Jones Mason Evans

Zack Phillpott

Alex Rees

Kailum Williams

Scott Jones

Jacob Issacs (c)

Andre Griffiths

Manager

Goalkeeping Coach

1st Aider

Jayden Watkins

Joseff Haig

Logan Perris

Leon Anstee

Jorrie Griffiths

Craig Hopkins

Dane Williams

Jonathan Howe

Richard Taylor

Match Report

Dracs 0-1 Brickfield Rangers

Report by Ben Hartrey

Ardal Northeast side Brickfield Rangers travelled to the Orange Llama for this intriguing FAW Amateur Trophy clash. With both knowing very little about each other, the game naturally opened with the sides feeling each other out. After some early exchanges which saw both keepers tidying up some threatening attacks, the pattern of the game emerged. The visitors sat deep, allowing The Dracs to dominate possession, and then trying to counter with the

That seemed to suit the home side, with Mathias and Beckett controlling the midfield and retaining possession for long spells of the first half. Sam Cawley and Ben Vincent looked threatening in the wide areas and there were moments of opportunity, with Coles’ volley just drifting wide, and a goal bound attempt from Vincent striking Coles and deflecting to safety. When the opposition did launch attacks, the back four were snuffing them out almost as quickly as they started. Despite the good performance, the game reached half time with the sides even.

The second half opened much the same, with the Dracs controlling and probing but without creating any big chances, the northerners keeping their shape and defensive discipline to the local the hour, Dylan Amin and the returning Simon Garay were introduced to try and seek a goal.

However, it was the visitors changes that had the greater impact. A treble substitution sparked some life into the Rangers press and suddenly the Dracs seemed hurried on the ball. The extra pressure paid off in the 76th minute when, after we failed to clear our lines, Michael Ashworth turned the ball in past a helpless Johnson and all of a sudden, the heist was on.

The Dracs threw players forward to chase an equaliser and there were chances, the best falling to substitute Ibby Sani, who’s attempt to turn the ball in from close range was

We wish Brickfield the best as they go on to face Canton in the next round, while the Dracs exit means that full focus can now be placed on the league campaign. Man of the match was Nathan Mathias.

Substitutes not used: Taylor

Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, J Roberts (Graham), Kazadi, Bridgeman, Benford, Beckett (Sani), Cawley, Mathias, Vincent (Amin), S Roberts, Coles (Aynalem).

Pics by Debbie Yanez

Q&A with Jacob!

Favourite Football team? Cardiff City

Favourite meal? Medium Rare Steak

Favourite car? Audi R8

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

Sir David Attenborough, Sir Geoff Hurst and Michael Jordan

Go to Karaoke Song? Lego House by Ed Sheeran or When I was your Man by Bruno Mars

What is your best footballing attribute? Determination.

Previous clubs? Vale United and University of Birmingham.

How long have you been with the club? Since the start of the season.

Tell me one fact about you? I have played every position on the football pitch except goalkeeper.

Best player you have ever played with? Oli Cooper

Best player you have ever played against? Aaron Reber

Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers? Work hard. Sometimes things don’t go your way but if you work hard and just keep waiting for your opportunity and look for it then as long as you are putting in the work in it will come. Be patient.

Pic by Debbie Yanez

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