Match Reports

19 November 2011 vs Tring 3rds - Lost 4-2

Enigma were at home to Tring 3rds on Saturday in the 5 Counties league. It was a bright sunny day, and both teams started in good spirits. Tring attacked from the first whistle and took their opportunities whilst Enigma were still settling down. Two break away goals and a short corner saw Tring 3-0 up in the first 11 minutes. Enigma then focused on the job in hand and settled down to play some excellent hockey. Good passing between the mid field of Lesley White, Alex Baggs, Laura Dudley and Nat Cook who all worked hard to push forward at every opportunity. After the first telling 11 minutes, Enigma controlled the game - the forward line of Leah Day, Lyn Munn, Alice Jess and Jayne Jones testing the Tring defence and trying to find weaknesses.

Enigma's pressure paid off when Alex Baggs made a fine, determined run beating several Tring players, and shot from the top of the D to score a superb goal.

When Tring did break through, Enigma's defence of Eileen Stokes, Karen Ives, Steph Dell and Laura Austin marked well, and keeper Lisa Morgan made some important saves to keep the scoreline down.

Enigma's second came from Lesley White - Alex Baggs sent the ball out to the right, Lesley turned skilfully and beat 2 defenders to slot the ball home from a tight angle.

Final score was 4-2. Enigma played some excellent team hockey, and should be proud of their performance

12 November 2011 vs Broxbourne 4ths - Lost 10-1

Enigma travelled to Hertfordshire on Saturday to play Broxbourne 4th in a 5 Counties league match. Despite the disadvantage of a player short, Enigma started brightly and positively, with the midfield of Lesley White, Karen Ives and Nat Cook working hard and playing well together. This was the backbone of team throughout the match -linking well between the forwards and defence.

Broxbourne attacked the Enigma goal hard, and were simply the better team on the day. The score would have been higher if not for superb keeping by Captain Lisa Morgan in the Enigma goal. The defenders Laura Austin, Eileen Stokes and Steph Dell marked well and soaked up massive pressure from the Broxbourne attackers. Their first 3 goals were from short corners, others were from open play.

The forward line of Jayne Jones and Lyn Munn tried to make opportunities but they were few and far between. Enigma did score a fine goal - a hit from Jayne Jones found Lesley White on the right, she beat 2 players and crossed the ball into the D from the byline. Karen Ives was on hand to slip the ball past the diving keeper.

Everyone worked hard and it was a difficult match, but spirits remained high throughout the game and kept trying until the final whistle.

Dame of the Game: Nat Cook

29 October 2011 - Stevenage (Friendly)  Lost 4-2

Enigma Ladies played Stevenage on Saturday in a friendly match. Due to injuries and other commitments Enigma could not field a full team to make the trip to John Henry Newman School in Stevenage for the game.

Luckily Stevenage were kind enough to loan Enigma some players, so a full game could be played. It was a bright, sunny day and both teams were in good spirits. The Stevenage players fitted in quickly to Enigma's format and were soon passing the ball around freely. It is always interesting when players face their own team in a game - as a defender you know how your forwards work, and as an attacker you are always trying to get past what is normally your own defence! Lots of banter from both teams made it a very enjoyable game.

Stevenage opened the scoring, and Enigma soon hit back to equalise. The play when from end to end, both teams having chances. Lisa Morgan in the Enigma goal played well and made some excellent saves, and the defence of Eileen Stokes, Laura Austin and Gerry Cronin managed to hold the powerful Stevenage forwards. Stevenage scored again, and in response Nat Cooke made a fine individual run up the pitch, beating several defenders to equalise again.

Some excellent moves saw some great work from Laura Dudley in midfield and Alice Jess on the forward line. Both players working hard, fighting for the ball, and making some great moves.

Towards the end of the game, Enigma tired and Stevenage scored another 2 goals after much pressure on the Enigma defence.

A very enjoyable game and our thanks to the Ladies of Stevenage for helping us out.

If there are any ladies who would like to join Enigma Hockey Club, please visit our web site www.enigmahockey.com. We are a small, friendly club who play for fun and fitness.

1 October 2011 Leighton Buzzard 11 Enigma 0

Enigma Ladies faced local rivals Leighton Buzzard in their first league game of the season on Saturday. When everyone else had already started their league campaigns the previous week, Enigma had a 'buy' as St Neots had dropped out of the league at late notice and it was too late to rearrange all the league fixtures for the season.

It was a blistering hot day. Enigma were hit by unavailability, injuries, illnesses and last minute unavailability- so only had 11 players - and crucially, no substitutesto give players a rest from the heat. Leighton Buzzard were on a high, having beaten Welwyn 7-0 in the previous week, and started confidently. Enigma took some time to get to know new players, and the Enigma goal was soon under siege from the Leighton forwards.

The defence of Eileen Stokes, Laura Austin, Gerry Cronin and Lou Rowlinson did their best to repel the constant attacks, but errors, pressure and sheer numbers soon resulted in Leighton finding the net. Again and again they attacked, and captain Lisa Morgan in goal made some important saves to keep the score line to 8-0 down at the end of the first half.

Then tragedy hit - neither Sophie Setterfield and Lou Rowlinson could start the second half due to injury. Enigma were down to 9 players and Leighton kindly lent them a player to make it up to 10. A little regrouping and Enigma came back onto the pitch in positive mood. Some excellent hockey with Lesley White and new signing Karen Ives linking up well together, hardwork from Jayne Jones, Lynn Munn and Steph Dell, kept Leighton on their toes and there were short corners and shots at goal to keep the Leighton defence busy. But the heat and fitness took its toll and towards the end of the half again the Enigma goal was under attack. The defence worked really hard, but were outnumbered as the Leighton forwards piled on the pressure. More goals went in and the final score was 11-0.

A disappointing day for Enigma but next week, it's a new game and a new opportunity.

Next week: home to Broxbourne 5ths (11am at Leon)10 September 2011:

10 September 2011 Enigma 1 Aylesbury 2

Enigma Ladies faced Aylesbury on Saturday in the second of their pre-season warm up matches.

Enigma won the toss and chose to have first push-back. The teams were fairly evenly matched and the play flowed from end to end, each team testing out the other defence. After a quiet game last week, Enigma's defence of Becs Shepheard, Eileen Stokes, Gerry Cronin and Laura Austin had to be on form and work hard to keep the Aylesbury forwards at bay. Aylesbury won a couple of short corners towards the end of the first half, but Enigma defended well. Captain Lisa Morgan in the Enigma goal played well and made some important saves.

Alex Baggs, Lesley White and Laura Dudley in the mid field all worked hard, creating opportunities for the forwards. Alex Baggs made a fine run up the pitch and was rewarded with a goal to open the scoring for Enigma. Alice Jess, Leah Day and Jayne Jones on the Enigma forward line were all unlucky not the score as the Aylesbury defence and keeper held strong. New player Lynda Munn had her first run out for a while - hopefully enjoyed it and will back soon!

Aylesbury fought back, pressing the Enigma goal and were rewarded half way through the second half with an equaliser. Unfortunately fitness proved an issue for Enigma and Aylesbury managed to score a second to make the final score 2-1.

Players of the Match: Laura Austin and Alex Baggs.

3 September 2011: Enigma 7 Royston 3rds 1

Enigma Ladies started their season on Saturday 3 September with a fine win over Royston 3rds in a friendly match at their new home pitch, Leon School.

Enigma were joined by some players from Olney Ladies who fitted into the team well. From the push back, Enigma were keen to get on with their season, and passed the ball round well and were soon moving up the pitch. Steph Young opened the scoring, followed by one from Karen Murdoch and Enigma soon settled down to enjoy the match. A well taken short corner from Jayne Jones added to the score line.

Royston scored from a well taken short corner, but Enigma weren't phased and went into the break at 4-1 up. Enigma continued to play flowing hockey, passed the ball around well. Nat Cooke, Laura Dudley and Karen Murdoch working well in mid field, linking up superbly with Leah Day, Jayne Jones and new signing Alice Jess on the forward line.

Captain Lisa Morgan in the Enigma goal was fairly untroubled. The defence of Becs Shepheard, Eileen Stokes, Gerry Cronin and Laura Austin were able to push up at every opportunity to support the midfield. A few short corners won by Royston were well defended and Enigma were rarely troubled. Laura Austin had a great game as Sweeper, Nat Cooke working hard in midfield, and new signing Alice Jess played well as right forward finding herself in good space.

In the second half, Enigma continued to push up and Karen Murdoch, Laura Dudley and Jayne Jones all scored to make the final result 7-1.

Player of the Match: Alice Jess