Playing their first game since relegation from the National League South, the Chatham Women powered to a thumping 5-1 win over AFC Sudbury to give boss Keith Boanas his very first League win in charge of the ladies at the Bauvill.
First half goals from Amelia Woodgate (on debut), Otisha Charles and Ellie Jeffkins straight from a corner, gave the Chats a half time lead that they could only have dreamed of last season.
Darcy Wells hit a magnificent fourth just after the break for the home side, and not even conceding a disappointing penalty, Charles met a great ball from Maddy Woodgate to net the home sides fifth and put the finishing touches on a truly five-star performance.
But it could have started so badly for the home side as keeper Simeon Eligon almost gifted the visitors the lead with a poor clearance.
It was not long though before the home side grabbed the initiative as Lottie Sharp did brilliantly down the left and her centre was perfect for Amelia Woodgate to glance a looping header over keeper Nina Meollo.
Charles was inches away from making it two as she drilled into the side netting before the home side doubled the lead as a free kick from Lucy Jones was thumped against a post and as the ball ran free, a Sudbury defender gave the ball straight to Charles, who took her time and picked her spot to double the lead.
Sudbury rallied and had two great chances in quick succession. Eva Frazzoni was played through only to be denied bravely by Eligon and then Jess Allen hit an angled drive which the Chats keeper did magnificently to keep out.
The third goal arrived for the home side as Jeffkins whipped in a corner with pace from the left and the visitors’ defenders could not deal with the in-swinging ball and the home side were 3-0 up.
Allen had the chance to pull one back but was horribly wide and disappointed, whilst Wells was inches from converting a great ball from Megan Maslak as the half expired.
Amelia Woodgate would be disappointed not to have made it four nil straight after the break as she rounded Meollo but got the ball stuck under her feet. Skipper Grace Coombs was called into a good block to deny Frazzoni before the home side made it 4-0.
Wells did brilliantly in midfield winning the ball well and the playing Charles in down the right. She did really well and her ball back from the by line was met by Wells who did not break stride as she hammered home number four.
Sudbury kept going and defender Aliyat Lambe then had two chances – the first a free header from a corner which sailed wide.
Moments later she went even closer even if she did not know too much about it as a corner flew into the box, cannoned off the defender’s thigh and thudded against a post. Sudbury did get a goal back when awarded a penalty for a clumsy challenge that Lina Nagib drilled beyond Eligon into the bottom corner.
The home side went straight up the other end with Maddy Woodgate hurtling down the right, and her pinpoint cross was thumped home by Charles. And it could have been six as from a very cheeky quick free-kick, Wells rolled in Maddy Woodgate who’s shot beat the keeper but not the left post.
It is only the first game of the season, but already the Chats Women have one more League win than the entire 2023/2024 season.
CHATHAM TOWN WOWEN – Eligon, Maslak, Jones, Auguste, Coombs (Hargest), Perkins, Charles, Jeffkins, Amelia Woodgate (McGregor), Wells, Sharp (Maddy Woodgate)
Subs – Gilson, Sareen
AFC SUDBURY LADIES – Meollo, Rositier, Dodd (Egan), Bezant, Lambe, Jarvis (Hilton), Morton (Nagib), Frazzoni, Allen (Clennel), Cantwell (Creaton) Jeffrey
Images courtesy of Allen Hollands