Match Reports 22nd November 2025

Welcome to the Clwb Hoci Eirias Weekly Match Report.

22nd November 2025

Women’s 1

Brooklands Poynton Women’s 2  ( 0 v 3 )   Clwb Hoci Eirias Women’s 1

Following the Conwy Sports Awards the evening before, it was always going to be a challenging weekend for the squad. After a long night and plenty of celebrations, the team showed real character by turning up with the right attitude and strong team spirit, despite a large squad and tired legs.

The first half saw us looking a little flat as we worked off the effects of the night before. We struggled to hit our usual standards early on, while the opposition played with good energy. Defensively, we stayed organised and resilient, and the half ended 0–0 with plenty still left to give.

The second half started with renewed focus and intensity. The breakthrough came when Rachel Faragher reacted quickly to a loose rebound from the goalkeeper to put us 1–0 up, lifting the whole team’s energy. Soon after, some excellent work through midfield and attack saw the ball worked into the top of the D, where Daisy Edwards fired a brilliant first-time strike into the bottom left corner to make it 2–0. We continued to control the game, and a third goal followed after a neat pass into the D, with Ali Gostage-Naylor producing a composed flick into the back of the net to secure a well-earned 3–0 victory.

Player of the Match was awarded to Martha Hughes for her outstanding determination and calm, composed play in defence throughout the game. Turkey - Rachel Faragher enough said… the trophy will soon take pride of place in the clubhouse cabinet… allegedly still being built according to Luke! A very close second went to Lily Copeland, who turned up match-ready… apart from her shoes, arriving in UGGs and requiring a very sporting loan of trainers from the opposition – thanks in no small part to some sideline negotiations from Marcus Copeland!

No cards this week !!!

Goals : Rach Faragher, Daisy Edwards and Ali Gostage-Naylor

A great team effort to round off a tough but memorable weekend, topped off with more brilliant team teas and homemade pizza for the second time in the weekend.

 Women’s 2

Clwb Hoci Eirias Women’s 2  ( 2 v 1 ) Mossley Hill Women’s 1

The morning of the Saturday dawned bright and for the ladies as we prepared to face another team at home. Only described in last years notes as “really good keeper” we had no real idea what we up against but were feeling confident never the less.

The match started and us blue beauties were honestly all over them, I mean we must have had at least 20-25 shots in the first half alone. But with all that pressure at the front, our defence were neglected from the game and shocked when they came back from another opportunity to spring a counter-attack right down our centre line and into our D. One unfortunate foot at top D later and a lucky just snuck past us all into the back of the net..... Somehow it was suddenly 1-0 to them???

We hung in there until half time where we all had a little sit down and generally agreed that the notes were right and that keeper was insanely good along with a little bit on how to deal with her tactics. Well obviously, this talk was taken to heart by the team and especially Anna and Catrin in the attack who pretty much immediately slotted the ball past the keeper in quick and then scored a lovely rebound off her pads. It was up 2-1 to Eirias Ladies!! Now all we did was hold them back and keep attempting to move their keeper to little avail. Doesn't matter girls it was a win eventually!

POTM - Anna

Cone – Anna

Men’s 1

Clwb Hoci Eirias Men’s 1 ( 2 v 1 )   Brooklands MU Men’s 3 With the sun shining on a glorious Saturday at the Jungle and Jacob retuning from his night on a futon and wearing his nan’s clogs, top of the table paid us a visit.

Another inspirational pre match team talk from Ken’s kitchen forgotten son Echan, he decided it was necessary to change sides after consulting with Cian, the solar physicist. Before the game  kicked off cries for a satin ball were heard from the opposition, the upper class snobbiness shining through. (  Kookaburra Saturn Hockey Ball | ONE Sports Warehouse) link provided for future purchases. A satin ball arrived and the game started.

Some good early possession from the ultras controlling the game making Brokeland quake in their boots. A few early short corners won by the Ultras, with Brokeland adopting the traditional football manager cry ‘time wasting’ tactic on all penalty corners. Questions were asked to Archbishop Anthony who looked confused or lost as it wasn’t the sabbath day. One Brokeland player attempting to recreate his favourite character from the Goonies, Sloth tried to rational their time wasting. A few wasted short corners came and went and on the 30th minute up stepped our favourite Italian twin Luigi Sanford.  

The half time whistle came and a very positive half for The Ultras.   A good solid team talk by Pye praising all good work led to Brokeland’s scoring 2 minutes after half time. With the satin ball being pinged around looking like prime Pep’s Barcelona 09/10 the Ultras had a grip on the game. Then arrived Cian’s lover, number 11. In all my years of hockey, this was the first time I have ever thought that love might be made on the field. If anyone wanted to take Cian out for a drink , now was his time. Moving swiftly on,  Jacob Futon Molloy stepped up and somehow scored from another time wasting short corner. Then the Brett Madden academy of tackling decided to join the party. Firstly, Dylan Madden decided he must follow in his Dad’s footsteps and get himself a yellow.

The next series of events is clear - clearly Pye has had 1-1 tackling tuition from Brett. Brokeland’s player decided to size up for an aerial, Pye jumped thinking an aerial was coming. Then only to be described by bystanders as an RKO out of no the Brokeland’s player seem to fall over and claim it was a bad challenge,  a perfectly good challenge if you ask Brett. One cry from the Brokeland bench ‘are you happy now’ another cry ‘you could have killed him’.  The Brett Madden academy of tackling both sat down on the blue chair looking like they were waiting for a bus.

A solid 2-1 win at the Jungle. Special mentions to Brokeland’s no 6 who had been practising his gymnastics routine for his triple roll in the dee. Yoshi and Luigi holding fort in the Ultra’s defence with prime Ederson getting lost coming out the dee.

MOM- Luigi Sanford

DOD- Brett Madden Academy of tackling graduate 2014, Pye

Goal Scorers: Jacob Molloy and Lewis Sanford

Men’s 2

Clwb Hoci Eirias Men’s 2   ( 2 v 1 ) Liverpool Sefton Men’s 2

Eirias Men’s 2 beat the top of the league.

Liverpool Sefton Men’s 2 had not lost a game until this match.

Men’s 3

Clwb Hoci Eirias Men’s 3  ( 1 v 3 ) Bebington Men’s 2

Eirias Men’s 3s began the game brightly, applying early pressure and moving the ball confidently through midfield. Despite creating several promising opportunities, they were unable to convert their strong start into a goal. Bebington, however, were far more clinical in front of goal, capitalising on their chances to score three times before the break.

Dom and Will worked tirelessly in the centre of the pitch, helping Eirias maintain possession and drive attacks forward. Up front, Finn and Ryan put in huge shifts, constantly pressing the Bebington defence and stretching play. Newcomers Martyn and Harry made impressive debuts, settling in quickly and contributing strongly in both phases of the game.

At half time, Mike and Jeff delivered a focused team talk, encouraging the side to keep their composure and play to their strengths. The response was immediate—Eirias came out rejuvenated, controlling large spells of the second half. Their persistence paid off when Ryan found the back of the net with a well-taken goal.

Despite dominating long periods and creating enough chances to take the win, Eirias couldn’t close the gap and the match finished with Bebington ahead. A frustrating result, but a performance full of effort, quality, and promising signs for the games ahead. This was a match Eirias will feel they should have won, but one that offers plenty to build on.

MOTM: Dom

Goal scorers: Ryan

Men’s Development

Neston Men’s 6 ( 2 v 0 ) Clwb Hoci Eirias Men’s Development

Progress, resilience, and a glimpse of what’s to come. That was the story as our Development Boys faced second-placed Neston 6 in a fixture that tested every ounce of their growing confidence.

Neston arrived with a seasoned, powerful lineup, (just one youth player in their ranks) yet our boys embraced the challenge with energy and determination. This wasn’t just a game; it was another step forward in their remarkable journey of growth.

With Sunday’s U16 tournament in mind, we welcomed Xabi and Gethin into midfield, prioritising meaningful minutes for the U16 group. That decision didn’t slow the learning curve, it sharpened it. From the opening whistle, we matched Neston stride for stride, ball for ball, chance for chance.

There were standout performances across the pitch, starting with Rob who was immense in goal, providing a calm, commanding presence that allowed us to build confidently from the back. In midfield, Jacob, Osian, Owen, Gethin, Xabi, and Morgan controlled the tempo, rotating smartly to keep legs fresh and connections strong, an investment that will pay dividends in the tournament.

At the back, our defence stood tall. Ashton, Harrison, and Xander were outstanding, repeatedly breaking up attacks and covering for the "experienced" (not elder) trio of Glenn, Mark, and Mike when needed. Their composure kept us firmly in the contest.

The deadlock was broken on 25 minutes when Neston’s towering midfielder found a fraction of space at the top of the D and unleashed a strike that flew into the net. Until then, we had looked the stronger side, carving chances with penetrating wing runs and crisp passing that unsettled their defence. Their keeper was called into action several times, a thunderous tomahawk from Freddie the pick of the bunch, reminding everyone that a goal was within reach.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, a ricochet in the D fell kindly for Neston’s earlier scorer. Rob charged out bravely, clearing ball and player, but the umpire pointed to the spot. Suddenly, we were 2–0 down.

Heads didn’t drop. The boys pushed harder, forcing more saves and showing real attacking intent. The final touch just wouldn’t fall our way, but the performance spoke volumes.

When asked after the match how we’d done, the instinctive reply was: “We drew 2–0.” That says everything about how the scoreline failed to reflect the game. We created more chances than in the rest of the season combined. Teamwork, confidence, and resilience were outstanding, and the sense of growth is unmistakable.

As we head into our final match before Christmas, belief is sky-high that our first win is within reach—especially with a home crowd behind us.

And who knows… will we be stepping out in the new kit next weekend?