New Chatham Town Women’s interim coach Jesus Cordon looked on at the weekend as his side lost 3-1 to newly promoted Hashtag United on the opening day of their League season. 

The Chats dominated the first half but found themselves three down after an hour and although Breon Grant pulled a goal back, it was a disappointed coach who spoke to KSN after the game… 

“Disappointed with the result as I thought that first half, we created the better chances with their keeper being the best player on the park making three amazing saves as well as us hitting the post.”

“We tried to come out with the same mentality second half… we didn’t! It was the first ten fifteen minutes where we hadn’t the intensity or the quality that we need to at this level, and they punished us!”

“We did react and worked really hard the whole game, but it was too late – we created a good goal, but it wasn’t enough!” 

“The reaction was good which is positive, but in this League when it’s going to be really, really tight, you can’t afford the ten minutes we had and if you do, you get punished and that’s what happened!” 

Cordon only stepped into the role following Dan Logue’s departure and that caught many by surprise – including his former assistant.

“It’s been a tough week for everyone to be fair as it was so unexpected. When these things do happen, it’s always a big change to have a new manager even though I know the girls and they know me.”

“I had great support from Vicki (Ashton-Jones) on the bench with me, but it’s really hard and something that will take a while to get over it.”

“He told me the day before it was announced he was leaving, and it happened very quickly.”  

Again sadly, the only thing that did “go right” for the Spaniard on the day was the result of the World Cup Final.

He laughed at the suggestion of at least being one happy football fan in Medway on Sunday, adding, “It was good for the Spanish game. The girls here have been talking about England making history, but it was historical for Spain as well.”

“It was good to see Spain winning, but at the same time, I’ve been involved in England with the women’s game for six years now – when I was with Lewes, we played against most of the England team – so whatever the result, I guess I would have been happy with. The girls have been good about it and not really given me any stick…” 

Picture supplied by Chatham Town Women.