It was honours even in hot sunshine as Chatham Women and Watford Women played out a hugely enjoyable 1-1 draw in stifling conditions.
As the home side continue to build ahead of their new season in the Womens National League South East Division One, the visitors are in the middle of preparing for like in the National League South division that the Chats sadly left behind last season in the wrong direction.
Both sides gave a great account on a firm bobbly surface, and we’d love to credit some of the visitors play with name checks but sadly they wore shirts without numbers.
The visitors started brightly and early on tested home keeper Simone Eligon with probing crosses and long-range efforts which were comfortably dealt with.
It was the Chats trialist striker who had the best early clear chance but after beating the keeper to the ball outside the box, just didn’t have enough on the lob and the chance was cleared.
Darcy Wells was denied by a smart save after a powerful run before a similar run at the other end was only ended by a fine challenge from home skipper Grace Coombes.
The home side were to take the lead just past the half hour as an Ellie Jeffkins corner caused chaos in the box and the ball ended up in the Watford net with the last touch possibly being off a Watford defender.
The visitors responded with an effort inches wide before the drew level on the stroke of half-time when a deep right-wing cross was comfortably side footed home at the far post.
The half ended sadly with Wells punching the floor in frustration as she went down with what looked like a serious knee injury – the referee blowing for half-time immediately so the Chats midfielder could receive treatment. Thankfully, she emerged after the break with a huge ice pack on her knee and whilst clearly in pain, hopefully the injury will not be as bad as first feared!
Back on the field, sub-Tyra Poole curled a cross cum shot onto the roof of the net before Jeffkins let fly from thirty yards only for the ball to rattle the bar and rebound to safety.
In a very even half, the visitors finished the stronger – the Chats defence lucky when the collectively “switched-off” at a free-kick and were relieved to see the ball in from the right scooped over the bar.
In the final minutes, Eligon made a double save that is unlikely to be bettered the whole season. The Watford winger cut in and the keeper did brilliantly well to palm the ball away to the right. It fell straight to another yellow short, who’s first time drive went to the keepers left and somehow, Eligon changed direction and magnificently palmed the ball wide of the post.
CHATHAM TOWN WOMEN – Eligon, Maslak, Coombs, Trialist A, Jones, Auguste, Jeffkins, Wells, Charles, Trialist B, Sharp
SUBS – M Woodgate, Gilson, O’Neil, Perkins, Sareen, Hynes, A Woodgate, Trialist C
Image courtesy of Chatham Town Women