Chatham Town Women moved to within a point of guaranteeing third place in the Women’s National League Division One South East as they took the better from a goal-less midweek draw at Dulwich Hamlet.
Quite how the visitors didn’t force home two second half corners as the ball twice went through penalty areas packed with bodies where a touch from anyone would have taken the ball over the line.
All that came after Lottie Sharp’s first half effort crashed off the cross bar as the hosts were forced on the back foot for long, long periods of the game.
Yet after all those efforts a late brave double save from Abby Baravik denied the home side what would have been totally undeserved win.
Without their quartet of internationals Simone Eligon, Karesha Iton, Jas Auguste and Othesha Charles, the Chats took a time to get going but with Ciara Hynes slotting into a roll with Ellie Perkins and Lacey Hargest, the visitors were in control of the game almost from start to finish.
The Chats took their time to get going yet had the first chance of the game handed to them as a sliced back pass was heading towards Amy Russ, but home keeper Zahra Cheesman managed to punch clear.
Striker and keeper clashed again shortly afterwards as Russ charged down an attempted clearance with the keeper so relieved to see the rebound drop wide of the goal.
The game’s flow wasn’t helped by the constant blowing of referee Matour’s whistle yet on the one occasion that it was “expected” – when Hope Thompson – who on full debut looked an exciting addition to the Chats squad – was flattened in the box but despite cries for a spot kick, the official waved play on!
Sharp was then denied by a really good Cheesman save low to her right before the home side’s first chance arrived past the half hour, but it sailed high and wide of Baravik’s goal.
The Chats finished the opening half playing some super football – Russ was denied by a magnificent goal line clearance from Rhea Gall after some sublime footwork from Russ saw her squeeze an effort beyond Cheesman before on the stroke of the break, Sharp crashed an effort off the bar with the keeper flailing.
The second period began in similar stead with somehow a Lucy Jones corner from the right bouncing through a packed penalty area and wide of the far post.
The Chats probed looking for the advantage with Sharp and Amelia Woodgate working tirelessly down the flanks, and when Woodgate was moved more centrally, her pace caused real problems… problems that on another day would have seen one of the home defenders dismissed after clearly pulling the striker down.
The referee did wave play on but then stopped play and awarded the home side the free kick!
Late on, a long free kick from Jeffkins was spilled by the Dulwich keeper who was the most relieved lady in Dulwich as she was able to grab the ball behind her before dropping over the line.
The home side then almost stole the points right at the death, but Baravik, who had been a virtual spectator throughout the game, reacted quickly as a break down the right was whipped into the box, but the Chats American keeper was first to react and the striker was denied.
DULWICH HAMLET WOMEN – Chessman, Lodge, Gall, Eduarda Andrade, Glaze, Heria, Emmerson (Weir), Galway, Corrigan, Mayes (Monkman), Maria Andrade (Taylor).
Subs – Brown, Hickman, Leitch, Reid.
CHATHAM TOWN WOMEN – Baravik, Wright, Perkins, Hargest, Jones (Jestin), Jeffkins, Hynes, Thompson (Madison Woodgate), Amelia Woodgate, Russ (Fordjour), Sharp (Wiffen).
Subs – Coombs, Dunn, King.
REFEREE – Mr. Matour