First half goals from Oti Charles and Darcy Wells eased Chatham Town Women’s team into the next round of the Combined Counties League Cup at the expense of neighbours Dartford. 

The Darts came to Medway a division lower that their hosts but looking for a repeat of their shock win over the Chats in Kent Cup last season, but they offered very little as the home side ground their victory to progress. 

Wells was denied early on by Darts keeper Jade Charlton before the Darts stopper gifted the home side the lead. A long free kick was pumped into the Darts box and the keeper made a complete gift of the opportunity to Charles who rolled home her tenth goal of the season with ease. 

Charles then appeared to have earned a cast iron penalty for the home side as she was taken out by Georgie Davis, but referee Lockran was one of very few in a healthy Bauvill crowd who didn’t think the Chats striker had been fouled. 

Amelia Woodgate was next to go close for the home side as she raced onto a super through ball but just ran out of control as she shot and Charlton was able to gather. In the next forward attack, and from the move of the night, Megan Maslak played a terrific ball into Woodgate whose quick feet saw her shot flash a coat of paint wide of a motionless Charlton’s left post. 

Three minutes from the break and the home side had their deserved second goal, although Charlton will not want to relive her part in it again. Wells found room on the edge of the box and tried to chip the giant keeper without really getting hold of the chance. Fortunately for Wells and the Chats, Charlton allowed the ball through her grasp and looked aghast as the ball trickled into the net. 

Shauni Griffiths low drive almost pulled one back for the visitors against the run of play just before the break, but Simone Eligon made an outstanding save as the ball skipped up just a yard in front of the diving keeper as she palmed the ball away for a corner. 

The second period became a game where the Darts had to chase the game but very seldom looked like getting back into the tie whilst the home side continued to create chances. 

Lottie Sharp was first to go close as she sprinted away from the defence only to fire across the face of goal. Woodgate then went close again – Jas Auguste won the ball well before laying the ball through to her young striker, but this time Charlton got down well to push the ball away. Wells went close to a second late on after Charlton spilled a Lucy Jones corner but desperate defending kept the Chats out. 

Only once in the second period did the visitors look like piercing the red and black wall across Eligon’s box and that was when Russ was allowed to race away from leaving a Chatham defender on the ground “fairly” only to curl a golden opportunity wide of the post. 

It wasn’t their best performance, but the home side comfortably got the job done and move onto the next round and a trip to London Seaward. 

CHATHAM TOWN WOMEN – Eligon, Maslak, Auguste, Hynes, Coombs. Perkins, Charles (King), Jeffkins (Jones), Amelia Woodgate, Wells, Sharp (Maddy Woodgate) 

Subs – Laverick, Sareen 

DARTFORD WOMEN – Charlton, Davis, Hinds, Griffiths, Russ, Alberts, Fowle, Payne, Vaughan, Woodhouse, Dolby 

Subs – Woodgates, Adams, Howell, Powell, Connor  

Dartford did make five changes but there was no confirmation of substitute numbers. 

REFEREE – Mr. Lockran