It is first against second in Division One South East of the Women’s National League on Sunday at the Bauvill as table topping Chatham Town Women host Real Bedford. 

For Keith Boanas’ Chats, a much-improved performance and 2-1 win over the London Bees last weekend took them past Bedford, whose own game was postponed, and top of the tree for the time being at least.  

Boanas has been talking to KSN about that performance and what faces his side this weekend. “The thing for me last Sunday was the girl’s response to what London did to us in the FA Cup (the Chats lost 3-2 in early December), and I think the response was there from everyone and I think that the scoreline flatters them.  

“We created enough chances and I think we dominated the game, they nicked a goal right at the death but that’s not a problem. I think the performance was paramount for me and I am immensely proud of them! Pride was bursting out of my chest after the game if I am honest.”  

Goals in each half from Lottie Sharp and top scorer Amelia Woodgate gave the Chats a comfortable two goal lead that in truth they never looked like surrendering despite the late goal the home side pulled back. 

“It’s the response I asked for after losing to them in the Cup,” Boanas continued “And goes to prove that I didn’t think the Bees were better than us when they stole, and I use that word sincerely, they stole from us in the FA Cup, and we let them without a big enough fight.  

“Sunday was about controlled aggression and controlled anger and frustration putting it all into maximum effort. The running on the ball and off the ball that the girls put in was nonstop all over the pitch.  

“Ellie Perkins was outstanding at the back and she only got off a plane from America the night before, we said to her that if she’s going to play like that every week, she needs go to the States every week, whilst Amelia was outstanding – she deserved her goal; so glad that she got it but her work off the ball was nonstop!” 

“Our biggest strength at the moment is the unity as a squad, it’s a massive comparison to last year so as long as we can keep repeating that and be consistent then we should be fine ahead of a tough four games coming up very quickly.  

“Sunday and Bedford will be a battle, another battle against a very accomplished team and very accomplished coach – tactically it will be a challenge but if we can repeat the mentality from last weekend and that attitude in every game, we will give ourselves a chance.” 

“If we get the result, we want on Sunday we stay exactly where we are and where we want to be!”  

“We have a group of fans and it’s a small group –who follow us to every game and they are a big group in heart and anyone who follows a team like this, who follows women’s football will have my utmost respect as I have been in the game so long and I would love to see more of the three thousand who watched the men play Dartford on New Years Day watching us.  

“I don’t know how we achieve that; I don’t know what draws them to watch us and I can only hope that keeping winning puts us up there because I think we deserve that sort of backing as the girls have given everything for the shirt and it would be nice if we had a few more supporting us.  

“My love and admiration for everybody who follows this team especially on wet cold and windy days like last Sunday is amazing and I cannot thank them enough!” 

Boanas confirmed that he hopes to have striker Millie Raynor back in the squad from injury at the weekend along with midfielder Darcy Wells who has missed the last few games. 

Kick off on Sunday afternoon at the Bauvill is at 2.30pm