Today
’
s Programme at a Glance
Manager’s message.
Match Report Double.
The squads.
Season Tickets.
Q&A with H.
Interview with H.
Tote and 100 club
League Table
Upcoming fixtures.
Managers’ Message
Good evening everyone,
Welcome to the Orange Llama Stadium for today’s match against Seven Sisters Onllwyn AFC. We’ve had a positive start to the season, securing victories in both the league and cup competitions. However, there’s still significant room for improvement if we’re to challenge for a top 3 finish.
Last week’s win was hard-fought, and we showed resilience to manage the game after a slow start. Despite our current injury and suspension concerns, these setbacks provide opportunities for other squad members to step up and prove their worth.
Our opponents, Seven Sisters Onllwyn, are a strong team capable of beating anyone on their day. We must maintain our focus and work ethic to extend our unbeaten run. Their recent success in the Welsh Cup demonstrates their quality.
To our loyal supporters, your continued backing is invaluable. Your vocal support can make a real difference as we face this challenging fixture.
Thank you for joining us at the Orange Llama Stadium. Enjoy the match, and we hope to see you again soon.
Diolch
Nana Baah
Match Report Llwydcoed
Cardiff Draconians began their Ardal Southern 2024/25 season with a comfortable 3-0 win against AFC Llwydcoed at the Orange Llama Stadium
The Dracs started the campaign in unbelievable fashion with two goals inside the first eight minutes.
Sam Cawley broke the deadlock, after being found by Marinho Manga, in the fourth minute before the forward turned provider when he set up Sam Roberts to make it two four minutes later and go into half-time with a 2-0 lead.
Nathan Mathias added a fine third after the break with an early contender for goal of the season.
After the visiting defence failed to clear Charlie Taylor’s long throw, Mathias picked up the ball outside the box and he unleashed a powerful strike on the half-volley, which arrowed into the top corner, leaving AFC Llwydcoed goalkeeper Harley Tucker rooted to the spot.
Despite ending the game with nine men, after Efu Kazadi’s second yellow card and Taylor’s straight red card in stoppage time, Nana Baah’s side rounded off a conniving display to begin the new season with a well-deserved victory.
Cardiff Draconians:
Johnson, Lewis (Benford 69), Kazadi, Bridgeman (C), Taylor, Manga, Aynalem (Coles 57), Mathias, Roberts (Vincent 77), Amin, Cawley.
Substitutes not used: Hurton, Shewring.
Pics by Debbie Yanez and Josh Thomas
Report by Josh Thomas
Match Report
Ynyshir
Welsh Cup
Cardiff Draconians produced a superb performance as they came from behind to beat Ynyshir Albions and progress in the Welsh Cup.
The Buns took an early lead with the opening goal after six minutes through Leon Anstee, after being set-up by Cory Morgan.
However, the Dracs hit back 19 minutes later through Dan Amin’s smart finish from Sam Cawley’s pass to level the scores at The Oval.
Cardiff Dracs moved through the gears and looked to have gone in front after Amin’s excellent volley, following Cawley’s flick over the top was met by the forward but his delightful strike was ruled out for offside.
However, Nana Baah‘s side did go in front with a goal of the highest quality five minutes before half-time. Sam Roberts’ cross was only half-cleared into the path of Cawley, who superbly cut inside before firing home in superb fashion to make it 2-1 at the interval.
No more goals were scored after the break, as The Dracs held firm and resolute to secure a place in the next round of the Cup.
Cardiff Draconians: Johnson, Benford, Kazadi, Bridgeman (C), Taylor, Manga, Lewis (Coles 66, Nicol 90), Mathias, Roberts (Farley 90), Amin (Shewring 81), Cawley. Substitutes not used: all used.
Pics by Josh Thomas
Report by Josh Thomas
Interview with Harry
Goalkeeper Harry Johnson is flying with his new-found confidence since his return to Cardiff Draconians in February.
Johnson, who began his career with the Dracs, where he spent three years before leaving during the 2022/23 season and has gone on to play for Cambrian United, Taffs Well and Caerau Ely, was part of the side which finished in third place last season and has helped the team open the campaign with two wins from their opening two games.
Ahead of tonight’s second league game against Seven Sisters Onllwyn, Johnson shares with Media Officer Joshua Thomas on being back with the Dracs, thriving of the pressure of being a goalkeeper and facing Seven Sisters.
A great way to start the season, a 3-0 win in your first game against AFC Llwdcoed, how did you find that?
It was a good overall performance, a little bit of disciplinary let us down, but from a personal point of view three points and a clean sheet is the best way we could have started.
How are you finding being back after your spell away?
It’s good. I just wanted to get back to getting my confidence and enjoying the football again. Coming in with Nana (Baah), he has helped me leaps and bounds getting my confidence back and helping me as an overall goalkeeper and all my attributes.
You have strengthened over the summer with a number of signings, what are your thoughts on the squad, do you think you are in a strong position?
I think the signings that have come in have brought extra class in and I think it’s just added on to an extra quality bunch of boys.
What makes it great to be part of a team like this. Last season you finished really strongly, this season you have started just as you ended, how can you go and do one better?
I think the boys as a bunch we are tight-knitted, we get along as well and we work hard for each other. We all want to die on the pitch to get the three points and at the end of the day we all have our eye on the end goal, which is to win the league, which I think we are more than capable of.
Being the number one goalkeeper brings an added extra bit of responsibility, how do you take that in your stride?
I feel like goalkeeping is a lot different to outfielders, because obviously one mistake can cost you a goal. But at the end of the day I love the pressure, I thrive off the pressure. At the end of the day this is what I’m here to do, to get clean sheets and to win us games. I know I have got the backing off the boys, which obviously gives me that extra push forward. I also have the backing of all my boys in front of me and I know they put in as much hard work as I do which goes a long way to me.
Back home tonight against Seven Sisters what is it like playing under the home lights at Lydstep Park?
It’s good we always bring a good turnout and the local community does support us very well. It’s always nice to play down here at the Orange Llama Stadium.
What are your thoughts on Seven Sisters and how important is it to build on your perfect start to the season?
Seven Sisters has always been a tough side to play against, a real hard working and organised team, so, we need to be switched on from the first to the last minute in order to get a positive result out of the game. We need to treat every game like a cup final and take it one game at a time in order to keep this perfect start going and keep the momentum throughout the season.
Pics by Debbie Yanez and Josh Thomas
Match Officials
Referee Marco Griffiths
1st Assistant Referee Ashley Thomas
2nd Assistant Referee Amin Said
Dracs Squad
Harry Johnson (GK)
Dan Lewis
Jacob Benford
Jordan Fofana
Luke Bridgeman (C)
Callum Flynn
George Shewring
Marinho Manga
Nathan Mathias
Jordon Coles
Ethan Farley
Dylan Amin
Sam Cawley
Sam Roberts
Ben Vincent
Griff Nicol
Manager Nana Baah
Assistant Manager
Paul Smith
Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey
Coach Phil Booker
Goalkeeper Coach Dan Hurton
Coach Darren Buttle
Physio/1st Aider Emma Ryan
Seven Sisters Squad
James Harris Shay Isaac
Ethan Taylor Corey Tristram
Lewis Taylor
Brooklyn Drake
Alex Williams
Jacob Sadler
Iestyn Clement Rhys Winnett
Jack Owen Leon Herdman
Emyr James
Brad Jones
Daniel Evans Cieran Williams
Manager R Herdman
Coach S Isaacs
Coach L Williams
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.
Email: Cardiffdraconians@aol.com
Twitter: @CDraconians
Facebook: @CardiffDraconiansFC
Q&A with H!
Favourite Football team: Cardiff City.
Favourite meal: Pasta.
Favourite car: Mercedes.
If you could have any three dinner guests who would they be?
David de Gea, Aaron Ramsdale and Jordan Pickford.
Go to Karaoke Song: Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.
What is your best attribute? Kicking.
Previous clubs? Caerau Ely, Taffs Well and Cambrian United.
How long have you been with the club? Since February.
Tell me one fact about you: I used to play the drums when I was in school.
Best player you have ever played with? Liam Williams.
Best player you have ever played against? Kayne McLaggon.
Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers? Keep working hard, hard work pays off and the more you put in, the more you will get out of it.
Pic by Debbie Yanez
Fixtures
Once a Drac, Always a Drac
CF14 2NZ
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