Cardiff Draconians 2-0 AFC Llwydcoed: Dracs reach South Cup final in physical affair
Cardiff Drac’s will head into the Ardal South Cup Final after a 2-0 win over AFC Llwydcoed. They will face Trethomas Bluebirds in the final after they beat Ynyshir Albions 5-0.
In a heated and physical game neither side could fin a breakthrough in the first half. Drac’s had the better chances but Llwydcoed enjoyed large spells of pressure. Liam Williams gave Drac’s the lead in the second half after 60 minutes. Jack Kane came off the bench to grab the second late on and book Drac’s place in the final.
Cardiff Drac’s will now face Trethomas Bluebirds in the Final.
A quick start from Drac’s saw Shaun McCarthy’s cross only cleared out to Liam Williams. Williams tried a shot from the edge of the box but struck it wide.
Drac’s soon had another chance as the ball was played into Joe Morelli in the box. He brought the ball down on his chest and hit a low drive that just went wide of the post.
Soon the game became heated after a foul by Drac’s near the touch line. Players from both side got involved and Llwydcoed’s Ross Daniels pushed Shaun McCarthy. Daniels was fortunate not to see a card and was just spoken to by the ref.
Llwydcoed enjoyed some pressure and their physical approach seemed to throw off Drac’s. Jack Cole was played in on goal but Harry Johnson was out of goal quickly, doing enough to force Cole to shoot wide.
Llwydcoed tried to get the ball into the box from wide areas but each time Cardiff Drac’s were able to clear.
Drac’s went close mid way though the half when Shaun McCarthy’s volley rattled the crossbar.
Morgan Andrews tried to catch out Drac’s with a free kick. Hitting the ball at goal under the wall Andrews was unable to put enough power on it went straight to Johnson in goal.
Half Time: Cardiff Drac’s 0-0 AFC Llwydcoed
The second half began and Llwydcoed won an early corner. Morgan Andrews took the corner which came back to him. He tried a shot but put it wide.
Drac’s were enjoying a good spell and won a free kick. McLean played a clever ball into Liam Williams, which caught out Llwydcoed. Williams turned towards goal and fired a shot into the top corner.
The visitors almost hit back quickly as Andrews found Dewi Abbruzzese in on goal. Abbruzzese went round Johnson but the angle was against him and he hit the side netting.
Abbruzzese was making an impact after coming on and it was his pass that found Ross Daniels free in the box. With seemingly the goal at his mercy he fired over the bar.
Jack Kane came on for Drac’s and was involved straight away. Breaking in behind the defence Kane forced a diving save from Davies.
Soon after Kane won the game for Drac’s with their second goal. McLean sent a cross towards the back post that found Kane who knocked the ball into the goal.
Full Time: Cardiff Drac’s 2-0 AFC Llwydcoed.
Cardiff Drac’s: Harry Johnson (G), Callum Nippers, Matthew Escott, Liam Williams (C), Clayton Farrah, Joshua Payne, Thomas McLean, Rhys McCarthy, Matthew Hibbs (Jack Kane 78), Shaun McCarthy (Callum Gunstone 86), Joe Morelli.
Goals: Liam Williams 60, Jack Kane 83.
Yellow Cards: Matthew Escott 33, Joe Morelli 59.
AFC Llwydcoed: Brett Davies (G), Jordan Ellis, Liam Jones, Jordan Coles, Gabriel Williams (C), Lewis Holder (Leo Thomas 76), Cai Williams (Dewi Abbruzese 74), Ricky Carter, Morgan Andrews, Jack Cole (Scott Walters 73), Ross Daniels.
Yellow Cards: Lewis Holder 28, Ross Daniels 35, Morgan Andrews 40.
