Chatham Town Women recorded their first away League win of the season with a 3-1 win over Chesham United Women on Sunday afternoon, but it was a performance that left coach Keith Boanas happy yet very frustrated at the same time.

He told KSN after the game: “It was another one of those, when we play teams that we should be beating comfortably, something seems to switch off somewhere,” the coach admitted.

“But if we had got the early goal which I think we deserved for the pressure, that would have surely changed the complexion of it… we had eleven corners in the first half which is unbelievable and the fact that we haven’t aggressed or attacked one or two more of those was one of the big points at half-time!”

“And the way that we conceded the goal was very similar to the Actonian’s goal earlier in the season which is simply unacceptable. We told them that sometimes we have to go back to basics when you play on a grass pitch which is not conclusive to the way we normally play and again we had one or two players wearing the wrong footwear…”

“How can I tell them they have to go and buy new boots that cost two hundred pounds for a pair, so I’ve basically said that they can have a pair for Christmas!”

“I definitely think that affected one or two as they were slipping on the surface, but I think we were able to calm it down in the second half and once we got the third goal, we weren’t really threatened.” 

After conceding an equaliser so much against the run of play and then immediately responded by taking the lead that was almost beyond description pleased the coach and he admitted, “Yes that was a plus factor but it was a “sucker punch” wasn’t it?”

“I think it was a Christmas present situation – a counter attacking situation that they hadn’t had, and someone trying to be flash on the edge of our box who should know better, so I’ll think I will leave it at that!” 

“Sometimes players have to take ownership of situations,” he went on. “I sat up in the stand first half and made four pages of notes – I normally make one on the bench! I saw so many things that I wasn’t happy with, we have just got to be better at certain things!” 

Reflecting on the afternoon as a whole, the Chats coach said: “Thats what we have to face as a team that has come down a division, most teams are going to try and set up not to lose against us rather to try and beat us.”

“We have to overcome that scenario – so yes happy with the three points at Chesham; I know that second placed Norwich only drew here and other teams have had tight games and I guess there is some stigma attached to Meadow Park, so at the end of the day, I have to be pleased with the result.”

Boanas added: “Performance wise again it’s a weird one… I told the girls that I know that when we play one of the top sides, they will all up their game, as it’s what they do and it is a habit that they have to get out of as it could cost us, especially in a League where goal difference is going to be so important.”

“Today even highlights that, if we had got another two or more goals we would have gone up another position and we are going to have to start really looking at that and taking notice of sooner rather than later!” 

“We now have a Cup game at home on Wednesday (v Dartford in the Combined Counties League Cup) which is going to be physical. We have players injured and unwell and with the knocks we took on Sunday, we have to be wary of that now too.”

“After that we are at home to Cambridge in the League and then the Second Round of the FA Cup the week after, so we have some players we need to get back in.” 

“Considering the big squad that we have, we’re struggling to get a sixteen out – to me it’s crazy as I never thought I would see it but, it’s almost testament to the fact that we took the risk and signed a lot of players.”