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Chatham Town host London City Lionesses Academy under-21s in the Kent Women’s Cup on Sunday after playing away to London Seaward in the Combined Counties Cup

Chatham Town take on London City Lionesses under-21s on Sunday and manager Keith Boanas has a foot in both camps

Boanas will be in the Chatham dugout on Sunday but knows the opposition inside out - he’s also the interim coach of the LCL academy side.

Manager Keith Boanas will focus on Chatham Town Women this Sunday when they play a team he also coaches Picture: Allen Hollands
Manager Keith Boanas will focus on Chatham Town Women this Sunday when they play a team he also coaches Picture: Allen Hollands

The experienced Chats boss is no stranger to coming up against coaches that he’s coached and former players but the Kent Women’s Cup quarter-final will be a different kind of experience.

Boanas’ LCL team played Crystal Palace in the PGA under-21s Women’s League on Wednesday afternoon but he was planning on letting his assistant coach take their training today (Friday) as he focuses on Chatham and getting them into the next round.

Inbetween that he had another Chats game to manage last night (Thursday), thumping London Seaward 8-0 in the Combined Counties Cup.

“I will probably withdraw my services for Friday training, out of respect,” he said.

“They're fully aware of the situation and obviously Chatham are as well. I have to put Chatham first in this instance.

“There's an assistant coach at London City and there are other coaches there. A few of the players have said I already know all of their tactics but they know all of mine!

Chats’ Otesha Charles in the thick of the action against Real Bedford Picture: Allen's Photography
Chats’ Otesha Charles in the thick of the action against Real Bedford Picture: Allen's Photography

“It was the same on Sunday (against Real Bedford), in a sense. Their gaffer Charlie (Bill) is my assistant at the English Colleges national team and he's a good friend.

“We were very polite before the game, and very polite and respectful after the game, but for 90 minutes you've got to put those things to the side. It's the same as anybody.

“For me it happens on a regular basis because of the job I do for the FA. I always come up against coaches on other benches that I've had some part in their career.

“Obviously they don't want to lose to me. It puts a bit more pressure on the team because coaches are out to kind of say, ‘oh we beat the guy that taught us!’

“It's putting it a bit strong but it's like when Brian Kidd or Steve Bruce had to face Alex Ferguson.

Otesha Charles in action for Chatham Town Women against Real Bedford Picture: Allen's Photography
Otesha Charles in action for Chatham Town Women against Real Bedford Picture: Allen's Photography

“The bottom line is London City's under-21s are about developing players. Basically this is an experience for them but I can assure you they've got players that can hurt us.

“I've had two of them (at Chatham) on dual contract. They're more than capable of stepping up to this level. They've been primed to play in the Championship and the WSL and they train three, four times a week. It's not something we can take lightly. I'll make my players very well aware of that.

“They've got some really talented kids that if they don't progress next year themselves and if I’m with Chatham I'd certainly be looking at signing them.”

Chatham Town remain top of the National League Division 1 South East after a goalless draw against Bill’s second-placed Real Bedford on Sunday.

Two points separate the sides with Real Bedford having a game in hand.

“It was a fair result,” said the Chats boss.

“It was a battle and a great game to be a part of. Two teams going head-to-head and nullifying each other out.

Chatham Town’s Ellie Jeffkins takes a shot Picture: Allen's Photography
Chatham Town’s Ellie Jeffkins takes a shot Picture: Allen's Photography

“There were moments for both of us when the game could have been won by an odd goal but there was some really solid defending, some last-ditch defending.

“I think for the neutral point of view, despite there being no goals, it would have been a good game to watch.”

Chatham’s game this Sunday is one of three cup games they face in the space of seven days. They were away to league rivals London Seaward in the third round of the Combined Counties Women’s Cup last night (Thursday), with Haringey Borough awaiting the winners in the next round.

Lucy Jones challenges for the ball for Chatham Town Picture: Allen's Photography
Lucy Jones challenges for the ball for Chatham Town Picture: Allen's Photography

An 8-0 win over the London side came thanks to goals from Madison Woodgate (2), Otesha Charles, Ellie Perkins, Lottie Sharp, Grace Laverick, Amelia Woodgate and an own goal.

Chats face the Lionesses in the Kent Women’s Cup quarter-finals on Sunday (2.30pm) and then host London & South East Regional Premier League leaders Dartford in the semi-final of the Isthmian League Women’s Cup next Wednesday night (7.45pm).

“Our game on Thursday replaced the training session,” said Boanas.

“I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to rotate a few players.

“The following week against Dartford is going to be another big game.

“They're all competitive and they're all cup games so people have got nothing to lose. It's just going to be a tough test of character. Hopefully the squad strength can cope with it.”

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