Chatham Town Women produced an Adobe Women’s FA Cup upset on Sunday when they dumped National League side AFC Wimbledon out of the competition’s First Round in a tie played at the Cherry Red Stadium, Plough Lane.
The Dons effectively took the Chats’ place in the National League South when the Medway team were relegated 18 months ago, and Sunday’s amazing result was a clear mark as to how much the rebuilding of the Club and more importantly the team has come.
Skipper Ellie Jeffkins scored not one but two wonder goals to give the Chats the half time lead, and then after the home side went back in front with two in eight minutes late on, Super sub-Amy Russ, with possibly her first touch hooked home sending the tie to penalties.
Keeper Simone Eligon, who turned down an international call up from Trinidad & Tobago to play, then sensationally saved Wimbledon’s second spot kick, and after the home side missed their fourth kick wide of the target, Amelia Woodgate, powered home the winning kick to spark scenes of celebrations on and off the pitch.
The Chats started well and, on another day, would have been two in front early on as both Woodgate and Otesha Charles had golden chances – Woodgate firing over after Lottie Sharp’s shot had been parried and Charles sending a free header over from a Jeffkins free kick.
The home side responded and only a terrific goal line clearance from Lucy Jones prevented them going ahead. Sadly, the Chats didn’t heed the warning and moments later, Daisy McLauchlan side footed the Dons ahead.
For a while the home side were on top, but the Chats woke up when Ellie Perkins crashed a header against the bar. The game and the tie as a whole turned five minutes from the break, as Jeffkins powered home a 45-yard free kick into the top corner of the net.
Sadly, for the hosts, keeper Rose Kite collided with the post trying to get somewhere near the effort and after lengthy treatment had to be led from the field with Lauren Allen taking her place.
And the sub keeper was soon picking the ball out of her net when the game restarted as Jeffkins won possession just inside the Wimbledon half and sent the most sensational angled lob over the luckless Allen and into the net to give the Chats the lead at the break.
The second period for long spells was a backs to the wall effort for the visitors trying to protect the lead with Woodgate’s shot at Allen the visitors’ sole attempt on target before an incredible final fifteen minutes.
The home side were awarded a spot kick when Alisha Buckingham got in behind the defence and went down, and despite a really fine save from Eligon to deny Abiylee Hincks from the spot, McLaughlin was on hand to convert the rebound and level the tie. Eight minutes later, Hincks got her revenge drilling the ball past Eligon to put the home side 3-2 ahead.
Enter super sub-Russ and the former Dartford striker magnificently hooked home Woodgate’s cross to level things up again at 3-3 just moments after coming off the bench, sending the tie to penalties.
The home side went first and scored, with Jones replying. Eligon then saved brilliantly, and Ciara Hynes put the Chats ahead. Wimbledon made it 2-2 and then Jeffkins netted to keep the Chats advantage; an advantage that grew even bigger when the home side missed their fourth wide left and it was left to Woodgate to hammer the Chats into Round Two.
The draw was held live on the Women’s FA social media channel at the Bauvill on Monday evening, and the Chats’ reward is another National League South side – Exeter City – and the Chats will travel to Devon on November 22nd.
We caught up with manager Keith Boanas after the draw and he said, “It’s another tough draw, journey wise and opposition wise – they are a tough outfit! It’s another difficult game but we are more than capable. It would have been nice to get a home draw, but the Chairman (Kevin Hake) told me that Chatham don’t do home Cup ties!”
The Chats return to League action on Wednesday night when Dulwich Hamlet visit the Bauvill for a 7.45 kick off.
Pictures supplied by Nath Munday.