Chatham Town Women eased into the last four of the Women’s Isthmian League Cup with a comprehensive and thoroughly deserve 3-0 win over Dulwich Hamlet Women.
After being disappointed to only win their League game against London Seaward at the weekend by a 3-1 scoreline, this performance against Dulwich was far more convincing and blew away most of the frustrations of the weekend and all on midfielder EllieJeffkins birthday too!
Lottie Sharp how turned Sunday’s contest the Chats way along with Jas Auguste were both outstanding in the wide areas, at times leaving the visitors full backs at time chasing shadows and after Amelia Woodgate and Ellie Perkins had given the home side a two goal lead at the break, the Chats had one foot in the last four, and became one foot and four toes minutes into the second period when Darcy Wells swept home as the home back line yet again in a home game looked incredibly tight!
Injury and traffic disrupted the Chats strike force in their starting line up with Jess King (concussion), Mille Raynor (hamstring) and Oti Charles (traffic delays) all missing to start with as Sharp lined up wide right and Auguste wide left and the visitors simply couldn’t cope.
Dulwich did create the first chance of note but Swabey fired straight at keeper Simone Eligon. It was almost as if the chance inspired the Chats as a ball was played in from the right towards Woodgate, the young striker did so well to get there before keeper Murray and was able to roll the ball home.
Wells hit a terrific ball across the box that Woodgate was inches away from making it two before in a bizarre incident Dulwich keeper Murray was extremely lucky as she, thinking the referee had stopped play for an offside, wandered out of her box with ball in hand as referee Cripps had waved play on!
Wells was denied by a good save and then Woodgates touch left the keeper wrong footed and motionless as the ball whistled inches past the left post. Just as the Chats were thinking that the lead would be just one at the break, Auguste’s delightful ball in was brilliantly headed home by Perkins.
Two ahead at the break and knowing that a third would all but seal a Semi-Final place, the Chats didn’t have to wait too long as Wells was on hand to sweep home a cross not three minutes into the second period.
The visitors had the chance for an immediate reply but a corner bobbled wide whilst at the other end, Murray made terrific save to keep out Sharp’s effort and from the corner Auguste skied the chance.
Charles was introduced as a substitute (for Sharp) and proceeded to make a great chance for herself – bursting through one to be denied by a smart save from Murray at her near post. Charles then turned provider with a great run which sadly Maddy Woodgate sent into the stand.
There was even time for a cameo from Grace Laverick, returning to playing after a long time out with an ACL injury, and the final Chats sub went close twice in the closing stages, firstly with a low drive across the keeper, which Murray appeared to touch wide but the officials said goal-kick. And then in stoppage time, Laverick went through one-on-one only to have a heavy touch at just the wrong time.
The Chats safely through to the last four and this would have been great preparation for their tough looking League road trip to in-form AFC Sudbury on Sunday.
CHATHAM TOWN WOMEN – Eligon, Hargest (Sareen), Jones, Coombs (Dunn), Perkins, Hynes (Laverick), Jeffkins, Wells, Auguste, Amelia Woodgate (Maddy Woodgate), Sharp (Charles)
DULWICH HAMLET WOMEN – Murray, Harbour-Brown (T. Searle), Gall, M. Searle (Hutchings), Jowle (De Pellegrin), Taylor, Goddard, Corrigan, Monkman (Lodge). Swaby (Lacey), Cruttwell
REFEREE – Ms. Cripps