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Bettws FC

Today’s Programme at a Glance

Manager’s message.

Interview with Nathan.

The squads.

Match Report.

Dracs Vets.

Tote and 100 club

Q&A with Nathan.

League Table

Upcoming fixtures.

Managers’ Message

Firstly, I extend my warmest wishes to our dear friends and sponsors, Terry and Michelle, on their wedding day. We hope for a joyful and prosperous marriage.

Today, we welcome Bettws FC to the Orange Llama Stadium for the prestigious Welsh Cup. I anticipate a strong performance from them, but this match also allows us to give some of our players their first starts and involve our talented youth who impressed last weekend.

Reflecting on our last match, I was thrilled with our 3-0 victory against Pontyclun. Captain Luke Bridgeman’s brace, especially while nursing an ankle injury, highlights the resilience of our team.

As we strive to reach Round 1 of the FAW Cup, I appreciate your continued support. Thank you for being here today.

Diolch

Nana Baah

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Interview with Nathan

Every upcoming footballer dreams of being handed an opportunity to test yourself at the biggest clubs, and for Nathan Mathias he was given just that at the age of 14.

Mathias was playing for St Albans and Cardiff and Vale Schools before he was given a week’s trial with Manchester United, where he played with now England international Marcus Rashford.

Mathias also had trials with the likes of Manchester City, Fulham and Stoke City and went on to play for Wales under-16s, lining up with the likes of Wales duo Dan James, Harry Wilson.

Mathias looks back on his opportunity at United with fond memories and shares his time with the Red Devils, being selected to play for Wales, how being on trial has helped improve his game and his thoughts on three successive cup games starting with Bettws on Saturday with Media Officer Joshua Thomas.

JT: Tell me what it is like to be on trial at Manchester United, what was it like to be in that environment?

NM: To be on trial at a club with such a fantastic history, you could see from day one why they’re one of the best clubs in the World. Everything around the club was so professional, I was lucky enough to have lunch with the first team players and meet Sir Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs.

JT: What was it like to meet those players and how did they make you feel welcome?

NM: It was an unbelievable experience and I’m fortunate to have had that opportunity as not many people experience that. Every player greeted me to the club and shook my hand. As Ryan Giggs is from Cardiff, he was the first person to come up to me and took me around every player.

JT: What was it like to play with Marcus Rashford?

NM: You could see straight away that he would make it professional. Even at the age of 14, everyone would just pass him the ball as he’d create a chance out of nothing.

JT: How has being on trial with United helped your game?

NM: I think being on trial with United and a few other clubs has helped me with my nerves before games. I used to hate making mistakes, but I’ve learnt that it’s part of the game and you just have to learn from it.

JT: What was it like playing for Wales alongside Harry Wilson and Dan James, just how good were they?

NM: You could see their quality from day one. Their attitude to training and games were top class. Being around the Welsh setup was an insight to me on how the professional set up is.

JT: What different things do they have in place and ensure it is a place for upcoming footballers? Was it a Proud moment to wear the Welsh Shirt?

NM: It all starts from the backroom staff, everything is prepared professionally through nutrition, training and also recovery after training and games. It was one of the proudest moments of my life for me and my family, to wear that Welsh badge and sing the national anthem will stay with me forever.

JT: How important is it to make a statement with three successive cup games in a row and what would it mean to go far in the competitions?

NM: Games are coming thick and fast; we haven’t lost this season yet so it would be nice to carry on this run and win all three cup games. It also gives players a chance who may have been injured or need some game time.

JT: How important is it to build up and maintain your momentum, especially with three cup games in a row?

NM: Momentum is a key component to building a successful season, we had this with our run of 11 unbeaten games last season. I don’t think many of us have been on a cup run before so it would be nice to get some silverware this season.

JT: Another big game on Saturday, what are your thoughts on Bettws?

NM: I haven’t heard much about Bettws, but we can game lightly, we need to treat every game as a cup final. Every team is coming to beat us and we need to be ready for that challenge.

Pics by Debbie Yanez

Match Officials

Referee Daryl Jenkins

1st Assistant Referee David Greaves

2nd Assistant Referee Joshua Taylor

Dracs Squad

Harry Johnson (GK) Callum Beckett

Luke Bridgeman (C)

Connor Graham

Charlie Hanson Taylor

Ali Brisam

Jordan Fofana

Nathan Mathias

Marinho Manga

Dylan Amin

Sam Cawley

Jamal Roberts

Ben Vincent

Ibby Sani

Callum Flynn

Ollie Gray

Manager Nana Baah

Assistant Manager Paul Smith

Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey

Coach Phil Booker

Goalkeeper Coach Dan Hurton

Coach Darren Buttle

John Davies

Geraint Rees

Bettws Squad

Rhys Short

Rhys Dyke

Dylan Pearson Cameron Dent

Anthony Bale

Tom Collier

Mason Griffiths

Robbie Hug

Lewis Davies

Joe Collier

Zack Edwards

Lewis Miles

Jason James

Rhys Chaters

Mathew Jones

Kian Hayes

Simon Collins

Manager D Simons

Coach A Clift

Coach N Rose

Match Report v

Pontyclun

Pics by Debbie Yanez

Cardiff Draconians produced a solid performance with a 3-0 victory over Pontyclun.

The Dracs dominatated from the start and Captain Luke Bridgeman opened the scoring on the 18th minute from a Sam Cawley assist. The referee took his time deciding if the ball crossed the line but after consulting with his assistant the goal was rightfully given.

Sam Roberts was a constant thorn in the side of Pontyclun with his strong direct running on the left flank creating many chances throughout the first half.

The Dracs continued the pressure and finished the half as they started very much on top.

The second half started with the Dracs coming straight off the blocks and Bridgeman bagged his second goal of the day assisted by Jamal Roberts on 47 minutes.

The Dracs persistence and quality was dominating the game and Sam Roberts claimed the third goal of the afternoon assisted by Kazadi on 66 minutes.

Another fantastic performance from the Dracs taking 3 points, a clean sheet and undefeated so far this season going into a run of three cup games starting with Bettws in the Welsh Cup.

Draconians: Johnson, Lewis,

Cardiff

Kazadi, Bridgeman (C) (Fofana 76), Taylor (Brisam 66), Manga (Graham 76), Jamal Roberts (Sani 59), Mathias, Sam Roberts, Amin (Beckett 59), Cawley

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 Nathan!

Favourite Football team? Liverpool

Favourite meal? Roast Dinner

Favourite car? Aston Martin Vantage

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

Simone Biles, Steven Gerrard & Sydney Sweeney

Go to Karaoke Song? Ben E. King – Stand by Me

What is your best footballing attribute? Diagonal passing & prolific goal scorer

Previous clubs? St Albans, Newport County, Barry Town, Caerau Ely, Treharris Athletic Western

How long have you been with the club? 2nd Year

Tell me one fact about you? I’ve got a metal plate & screws in my knee (basically Wolverine)

Best player you have ever played with? Harry Wilson

Best player you have ever played against? Dan James

Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers? Have a good attitude, good work ethic & never give up

Pic sby Debbie Yanez

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.