Chatham Town Women eased into the last four in their defence of the Kent Senior Cup with a come from behind win over Ebbsfleet United Women giving new boss Keith Boanas his first win at the Bauvill. 

Having the better of the early chances the home side fell behind when Logan O’Shea put the Fleet in front, but courtesy of Tish Nicholls’ great strike the sides were level at half time.

And after Lottie Sharp swept the home side level, Nicholls added her second and the Chats’ third moments later, the home side were into the last four and the manager had his first win on home soil. 

The Chats started the brighter when Nicholls had a shot well held by keeper Courtney Roberts. The Fleet keeper was the busier of the two early on and was forced into a very smart save to deny Sharp before Nicole Pepper fired inches too high before the visitors threatened as a cross shot was magnificently turned aside by keeper Cara Davies. 

The visitors took the lead thanks to O’Shea’s opportunism as she reacted first to a ball into the box to beat Davies at her near post. 

The Chats rallied almost immediately as Breon Grant fed the ball through for young Chi Madamombe, but her shot was again just too high. Nicholls though was to show her team-mates how to do it from distance just before the break as after good play from Grant, the ball fell to Nicholls who arrowed a piledriver into the net. 

It was the boost the home side needed and moments into the second half Nicholls hammered another effort straight at Roberts. The Fleet keeper was a very relieved lady as a corner from Ellie Jeffkins completely deceived her and was cleared off the line. 

Roberts though was left distraught as she spilled a shot straight to Sharp who finally edged the home side ahead and moments later the game was effectively sealed as Nicholls curled home a superb third to give the home side some breathing space. 

And they were welcome of it as well as Amelia Woodgate was twice denied late on by smart Davies’ saves – the first one at the foot of her left post and the second by standing up well as the Fleet striker battled through. 

The holders are through then to the last four along with Herne Bay, Dartford and Aylesford and now face the next round of the FA Women’s Cup next at the Bauvill next Sunday when they welcome the side who knocked them out of the League Cup, AFC Wimbledon with a 1.00pm kick off.

CHATHAM TOWN WOMEN – Davies, Jackson, Auguste, Priest, Coombes, Jeffkins, Nicholls, Pepper, Grant, Madamombe, Sharp 

Subs – Pearch, Haynes, Perkins, Keegan, Harney 

EBBSFLEET UNITED WOMEN – Roberts, Iron, Waud, Grieve, O’Shea, Amelia Woodgate, Ross, Jestin, Reynolds, Murton, Charlton 

Subs – O’Neill, Willis, Maddison Woodgate, Naismith, Hewitt 

REFEREE – Mr Corderoy 

Pictures supplied by Allen Hollands.