The first Final of the season- and it’s tonight

Finals season starts this evening, and it starts at New Lodge, as Billericay Town- the holders- welcome Chatham Town in the Final of the SumUp Isthmian Women’s Cup. There’s a strange symmetry about this match, as a week later the two clubs will see their senior mens sides meet in our other cup final, as they contest for the Velocity Cup at Parkside, Aveley- and in that one, Chatham are the holders!

To reach tonights final the Blues defeated Sutton United- who they hammered four-nil in the Semi-Finals- as well as Haringey Borough, after being awarded a walkover against Bowers and Pitsea. The Chats defeated Dartford three-nil to reach the showpiece, and that followed a similar victory over Dulwich Hamlet and a fifteen-nil win over Sheppey United.

Billericay are currently fighting with Plymouth Argyle to avoid relegation from the Women’s National League Southern Premier Division- one or the other will be relegated, alongside MK Dons, and the Blues currently have a one point advantage over the side from the West Country, with both having two matches to play. They saw a four match unbeaten run come to an end with defeat against Lewes last time out. By the way, the Rooks are sixth, and Hashtag United are fighting with Ipswich Town for the title!

The Blues are contesting their third Final in a row, having lost the 22-23 showpiece on penalties to Charlton Athletic. They defeated Ashford United five-nil to pick up the prize last season- and, by the way, were in the Semi-Finals when the pandemic shut down the 19-20 competition, so are something of an Isthmian Cup powerhouse!

Chatham are having a more positive season, albeit one step below their opponents. They sit in third place, but sadly with only one team promoted won’t be able to catch likely champions Real Bedford- although they might yet overhaul Norwich City for second place. They defeated Ashford Town six-nil last time out, and have had a very good season, but sadly the Canaries have acted as their nemesis, defeating them twice- which is more than the champions-elect have managed. They’ll be the underdogs, but they will travel with confidence nonetheless- and 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.

This is the Chats first venture into the competition- although they did host the Final in 2014 when Gillingham defeated Haverhill Rovers! 

Congratulations to both sides on their achievements- and the very best of luck. 

Tickets are only a fiver- two pounds for concessions and those under sixteen- and can be purchased at the gate. Kick off is at 7.45 PM.