Cardiff Dracs and Ynysygerwn draw in cagey affair as Bradley Crooks and Elliot Matthews shine
Cardiff Draconians and Ynysygerwn played to a 1-1 draw at the Orange Llama Stadium in the Ardal South West. (Image: Y Clwb Pêl-droed.)
Cardiff Dracs and Ynysygerwn could not be separated as they shared the spoils in their Ardal South West clash.
Luke Bridgeman opened the scoring for the Dracs but Bradley Crooks qualised before the end of the first period for the visitors.
The Draconians move up a place to eighth and into the top half whilst Ynysygerwn move into ninth. It’s a third league game without defeat for Nana Baah’s side meanwhile Ynysy are four without a win.
The hosts created the first real opportunity in a good passing move. Myles Corson laid the ball off to Marinho Manga on the edge of the box for a low-driven shot that went the other side of Ryan William’s post.
Dracs took the lead just after five minutes after the visitors failed to clear their lines. A corner-kick was lofted in and Bridgeman was able to take the ball home after Rameer Outlaw’s goal-ward effort.
Crooks was causing problems on the flanks for Ynysygerwn and he had the better of Jamal Roberts, but couldn’t keep his shot down after cutting inside.
Ynysygerwn twice troubled from set pieces as they pushed for a response. Joe Humphries’s free-kick deflected over the bar, and then Alex Powell rushed in from a corner kick to slide his shot over.
The pressure continued to mount on the Dracs and Luke Davies nearly sliced a cross into his own net but it instead landed on the roof of the goal. Up the other end, Bridgeman continued to be a handful in both boxes.
Ynysygerwn on the brink of half-time got back on level terms. Crooks flicked the ball with his heel to beat Bridgeman on the break and he cut inside before unleashing a powerful shot.
In the second half, Myles Corson hit the side-netting with a header after finding space at the near post. Moments later Bridgeman had a chance to double his tally but as he slid in the ball was directed away from the goal.
Dracs had another chance to score as once again Corson caused problems, but Callum Beckett missed the target with a free header.
Ynysygerwn had a few moments themselves and Bridgeman made a brilliant tackle to deny Callum Wright. Goalkeeper Elliot Mathews then denied Charlie Farrell who had a close-ranged header tipped over.
Matthews continued with his heroics as Crooks let fly with an effort destined for the top corner but the Dracs goalkeeper met it well.
Neither side could find a breakthrough, and only two minutes of stoppage time were played before the match was brought to an end.
Line-ups
Cardiff Draconians: Elliot Matthews, Jamal Roberts (Harry Gardner, 62), Luke Davies, Luke Bridgeman, Jordan Fofana, Marinho Manga, Sam Cawley, Callum Beckett (Ieuan Llewellyn, 81), Nathan Mathias, Myles Corson and Rameer Outlaw.
Substitutes: Harry Gardner, Ieuan Llewellyn, Nicholas Grist, Graham Trevett and Joshua Baker.
Goals: Luke Bridgeman 7′
Ynysygerwn: Ryan Williams, Stephen Morris, David Evans, Joshua Davies, Tom Phillips (Allister Davies, 81) Alex Powell, Callum Wright, Charlie Farrell, Joe Humphries, Bradley Crooks, Jack Donnelly.
Substitutes: Ethan Wright, Daniel Roberts, and Allister Davies.
Goals: Bradley Crooks 44′
