Defender Lucy Jones is relishing facing her former team in the Women’s Isthmian League Cup Final on Wednesday night when she will be part of Keith Boanas’s Chatham Town squad heading to Billericay looking for their first silverware of the season. 

The Chats, already in this Final, have also made the Final of the DFDS Kent Cup Final (to face Dartford at the Gallagher on May 1st) and face either Portsmouth or Ashford Town (Middlesex) for a place in the Combined Counties League Cup Final, but for now all eyes are on Billericay as the Chats face the “home” side for the first silverware of the season. 

For Jones, now a firm favourite at the Bauvill facing her old team gives the Final some extra spice if it were needed!

“In truth, it was something that I ear-marked at the start of the season when I knew this Final would be there,” Jones told us.

“More for personal reasons at the start of the season, but now it’s for the team if I am honest as I really hope we can get the result and one over on them.”

“We all wanted some silverware when the season started as we have a lot of players who are still here from last year who suffered relegation and you know, they have my utmost respect as to come back from that in the way that they / we have all bolted together is really impressive and I really want to win on Wednesday night for those guys as well!” 

The Chats go into the Final after a return to form in winning 6-0 at Ashford Town (Middlesex) in their last outing ten days ago, a performance that pleased everyone.

“There have been a few games this season where we haven’t played at our best and I don’t think we played that well at Ashford, but on the pitch and that surface we did a pretty good job, and it was a convincing performance.” 

“We have made a lot of chances in previous games and not put them away – and I still think that we could have had more than the six we got at Ashford.”

“We got two of the goals from my corners which is something we have been strong on at times this season, but it’s good that we’re looking threatening again. I’m just pleased that I’m just happy to help the team.” 

Jones converted the sixth at Ashford from the penalty spot and when asked if she would now “become” the spot kick taker; “No I’ll leave it to Jeffers (Ellie Jeffkins),” Jones laughed.

“She’s ahead of me, I’m not taking that off her. I’m always keen to take one, but she’s ahead of me in that one!” 

Returning to the pending Cup Final, Jones reflected saying, “It’s a different Billericay from last year and there are only a couple of players still there that I played with – it’s a different outfit, but we will do our own analysis and will be very much prepared for it and we’re really looking forward to it.”

“It will be interesting to play back there again as I was there for a long time and hopefully it will be a good welcome back for me, if not for them!”