A Chatham triumph!

When we previewed last night’s SumUp Isthmian Women’s Cup Final between Billericay Town and Chatham Town, we suggested that Billericay were the favourites. After all, that made sense; they were the holders, were in their third final in a row, play a division higher than their visitors and also had home advantage- how could it not be so? Well, as it turned out, Chatham made a mockery of our suggestion. Last season saw the Blues lift the trophy with a five-nil final win, and this season they were on the receiving end of the same scoreline. 

We knew that Chatham were in good form, and that Billericay have had their struggles this season, but what we got was a Chats masterclass. The scoring started on eighteen minutes, and the goal came from a rather unusual source, Jess King putting them ahead- but it later turned out that Jess, who if the FA website is correct had scored only twice from eighteen appearances this season, had just been saving most of her goals for this particular match! Four minutes later Lucy Jones made it two- again, only her third of the season- and just before the break the game looked as good as won when King made it three.

The second half brought more of the same. Grace Coombs got the fourth within eleven minutes of the restart, apparently- you’ve guessed it- her third of the season, and on seventy four minutes the fifth arrived, and King had a match ball to go with her winners medal. 

Many congratulations to all at Chatham Town- who already have another Final to look forward to, as they take on Dartford in the Final of the Kent Cup on May 1st at the home of Maidstone United.

Oh, and the Chats senior men’s team will, of course, try to deliver a cup double next Wednesday night as they take on- of course- Billericay Town at Parkside, Aveley, in the Final of our other League Cup competition, the Velocity Cup! 

Thanks to Keeran Marquis, Nicky Hayes and the Chats for the photographs.