Chatham Town Women returned to Women’s National League action on Sunday with a thoroughly convincing 5-0 hammering of AFC Sudbury Women on Sunday afternoon!
Ahead at the break after a fairly even opening half through Karesha Iton’s carressed drive into the corner, the Chats were fast out of the blocks with three goals in a short space of time through Amy Russ and Lottie Sharp’s brace. Sub-Jess King got in on the act with possibly her first touch to make it five to keep the Chats just about in the race for the Play Off places.
It wa sthe visitor who started the brightest and Megan Edwards looped an early header onto the roof of Abby Baravik’s net before the home side, backed by a decent crowd which included the Mayor of Medway and the Leader of Medway Council, got into their stride. Russ clipped a post and Iton was denied well by a defender after being played through by Amelia Woodgate.
Not that the home side were having it their own was as Baravik made a really brave save at the feet of Lucy Loomes as the Sudbury striker raced through the home back line.
The deadlock was broken on the half hour as Iton’s low drive gave Matilida Cox in the Sudbury goal no chance.
The first half remained tight with chances at both ends with Ellie Jeffkins testing Cox and the Baravik/Edwards battle continuing with the Chats keeper making a fine save with her feet.
The second half though was a different story completely as the Chats came of the dressing room with a point to prove and by the hour it was four nil. Russ started it all off as she got on the end of more great work from Amelia Woodgate as she timed her run perfectly to score in the bottom corner. Moments later it was three as Iton’s ball in from the left was superbly turned home by Sharp and Sharp then got on the end of another ball – this time from the right – to force the ball home at the near post.
Sharp the inadvertantly turned provider for King as she didnt quite get hold of a shot and it fell to the sub who slammed the ball home as the Sudbury defence stopped waiting for a flag that didnt come!
The biggest cheer of the day though arrived with just under twenty minutes left, with a substitition as boss Keith Boanas introduced club skipper Grace Coombs who graced the pitch for the first time this season after a couple of really niggling injuries. Coombs had been a big part of the Chats success last season and it was fitting that fans and players alike gave her such a welcome – a welcome that included Jeffkins running over and immediately handing the captains armband back to its rightful home!
The Chats could have won by a bigger margin – King shot wide; Sharp tested Cox three times and Summer Wiffen put in a couple of super balls from the right that a red short couldn’t quite get on the end of but the points had long since been secured.
The game did end on an unfortunate note however as Sudbury skipper Maisie Goodwin went down in a great deal of pain and after lengthy treatment was helped from the field by both physios before being taken to hospital.
Next up for the Chats – after all their giant killing in the Women’s FA Cup – comes the ultimate League test, away to leaders Fulham with Boanas’s side looking to avenge the heartbreak of the last-minute goal that won the leaders the game at the Bauvill earlier in the season.
CHATHAM TOWN WOMEN – Baravik, Hynes (Dunn), Perkins (Coombs), Jeffkins, Russ (King), Sharp, O’Shea, Hargest, Amelia Woodgate (Wiffen), Iton (Madison Woodgate), Jones
Subs – Wright, Jestin
AFC SUDBURY WOMEN – Cox, Smith, Jeffrey (Clark), Morton (Nagie), Slater, Penny, Goodwin (Peachy), Edwards, Abrehart, Loomes, Barrett
REFEREE – Mr Butcher
Update – we have subsequently learned that Maisie Goodwin has suffered a triple leg break and is in hospital awaiting surgery – we wish her well and a speedy recovery!
Images courtesy of Allen Hollands