MATCH REPORT: Cardiff Corinthians 0-3 Cardiff Draconians – Dracs bag the points with impressive second half showing
Cardiff Draconians strengthened their stronghold of second place in the Premier Division as an impressive second half performance earned them victory over Cardiff Corinthians.
Goals from Bradley Stubbs, Liam Reed and Shaun McCarthy after the interval meant the three points were heading north of the South Wales capital.
The two Cardiff sides have a contrast in league positions with the former Welsh League side sitting near the bottom of the table whilst the new boys of the division were impressing in second place.
Early on the Dracs had an opportunity to open the scoring as Shaun McCarthy won a free-kick on the edge of the box. Liam Williams stepped up to hit a powerful free-kick smashing it at the post before it cannoned out for a goal kick.
The Corries had a golden opportunity to draw first blood as Zaki Misbah played through Rhys Withers who had only the keeper to beat but Dom Smith was there to deny the Corries wide-man.
Up the other end Liam Williams hit the post again with a powerful shot outside the box, with Isaac Morrison failing to convert on the follow-up as the ball fell to him.
Gareth Cawley almost carved open the Dracs defence as his beautiful cross found Rhys Withers in space but Jake Nippers was there to deny him.
For the Corries, Misbah’s hold-up play was bringing his team mates into the game, he sprayed a cross to Withers who shot at goal but dragged his shot wide.
The Corries rattled the woodwork as the game approached the half hour mark, James Malloy delivering a free-kick on half way as his header was met by Aaron Morten, clipping the crossbar before going behind.
Thomas McLean for the Draconians hit a right-footed shot at Chris Vanos from close range, as well as Trista Notley having to block Leighton James shot with a goal-line clearance before clearing it to safety.
The last piece of action of the half saw Jake Nippers put in a crunching tackle on Iwan Withers, to stop the burst of pace the Corinthians attacker had on him, denying him the chance to break in at goal.
Lee Denner fouled Rhys Withers as the second half resumed, allowing Misbah to hit a well-struck free-kick but Dom Smith collected cleanly to keep the score level.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Dracs broke down the Corinthians rearguard as Liam Williams’s long pass over the top fund Bradley Stubbs who went past Jake Barlett to slot home from an acute angle, opening up the scoring.
The home side had the chance to go level after Liam Williams headed away but substiute Mrwan Ali blazed the ball over the bar.
As the Corinthians tried to find a route back into the game, they were undone by Liam Reed as Leighton James opted to pass and not shoot, finding the substitute unmarked to double the Dracs lead with a tidy finish.
The result was beyond reasonable doubt with fifteen minutes remaining as left-back Shaun McCarthy hit the back of the net with a well-struck shot from outside the box, catching Cardiff Corries keeper Chris Vanos off guard.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Dom Smith had to tip Cawley’s shot on to the crossbar after a good build-up between Cawley and front-man Grant Thompson, but Smith was determined to keep his clean sheet intact.
The game began to falter out and Liam Williams went for an audacious shot from his own half, trying to catch Chris Vanos off his line, but to no avail.
The last chance of the game fell to Jake Barlett but much to the disappointment of himself and the Corries, he hit the crossbar as the home side were left to rue their chances.
Cardiff Corinthians
Vanos, Barlett, Malloy, Morten, Notley, Mhani (Tinkler 74), I Withers (Bangura 75), R Withers (Ali 57), Thompson (Misbah 80), Misbah, Cawley
Cardiff Draconians
Smith, Morelli, McCarthy (Morgan 77) , Williams, Nippers, Denner, Morrison (Creed 57), McLean (DeAbreau 74), Lewis, James, Stubbs (Adegbite 77)
Goals: Stubbs 55′ Creed 70′ McCarthy 74′
