Chatham Town Women return to Women’s National League action this weekend after their heroics in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup as they entertain AFC Sudbury Women with League points up for grabs.
And whilst the Cup run was amazing and fantastic to enjoy and be part of, boss Keith Boanas has spent this week underlining to his players that there is still so much to play for as the business end of the season comes into full view.
“Certainly, we are back to business in the League now after our FA Cup exploits are over,” the Chats boss told us, “Obviously it did not end the way we had hoped and worked for but still, what an amazing journey it was. We are so thankful to all of you who shared the journey with us starting back at Beaconsfield Town, right to the end outnumbering and out singing the Birmingham fans in their own stadium last weekend.”
“The scoreline was a major disappointment and we know we made some basic errors that gifted them goals, but who knows how the players felt inwardly in that environment,” Boanas continued. “But as I said in various interviews since there is no way that I will not allow anyone to take away the Pride and Passion they showed to get there – the last sixteen of a national Cup competition which nearly FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY teams entered – it’s an amazing achievement of which we all should be very proud indeed!”
The Chats won three Cups last year and are already in two of those Finals again (the Kent Women’s Cup and the Women’s Isthmian League Cup), whilst on Wednesday they won through to the Quarter Finals of the third – the Combined Counties League Cup.
“We were able to give minutes to players who needed them on Wednesday and although I wasn’t too happy with a lot of things, we did some good things and had young Zaire Aimee making her debut in goal due to Simone (Eliogon) and Abby (Baravik) being unavailable!”
“Sunday, we face AFC Sudbury minus our International threesome (Eligon, Jas Auguste and Otesha Charles are all away on CONCACAF duty),” Boanas told us looking ahead to Sunday. “Thankfully, we have good squad depth and need a vital three points to keep ourselves in with any semblance of hope for that second spot and a Play Off place.”
“I believe Fulham who we face away next week have potentially sealed that top spot. But we need to beat them and the second placed Norwich away in a few weeks as well as every other opponent still in our way if we can continue our good results from the Cup into the remainder of our League fixtures.”
The boss was under no illusions as to the importance of Sunday’s game and called for the Chats fans to bring the same level of backing and support as they did during the Cup campaign – he said, “it is almost as big a task to catch the top two as our game last Saturday but is far more possible than not if we apply ourselves and stay consistent in our performances including being far more ruthless and relentless in front of goal. As well as being solid and determined defensively. This may sound obvious, but it is factual and we will always need our support and belief behind us.”
The Club has announced that Sunday’s game at the Bauvill which kicks off at 2:30pm will be FREE ENTRY to allow everyone to come and salute the Birmingham Bravehearts as they turn their attentions back to the National League.