Chatham Town Women are facing an immediate challenge to their newfound place at the top of the National League Division 1 South East table.

A 2-1 win at London Bees on Sunday took them top, taking over from a Real Bedford side whose match was postponed.

Real Bedford now head to Chatham this Sunday looking to reclaim their place at the top from Keith Boanas’ side in what’s sure to be a keenly fought contest at the Bauvill Stadium.

Boanas said: “It’s a nice feeling to be top and it sets us up nicely for a top-of-the-table clash this Sunday, which is massive.

“We drew 1-1 at their place earlier in the season and they have maintained their levels since.

“They have had massive investment but they only drew with London Bees a couple of weeks back and on that performance alone it shows that we are definitely in with a chance. We have to be if we are going to go for it - this is a game we have to win, simple as that.”

Last weekend’s game against the Bees got off to the best possible start when Lottie Sharp scored after just a minute.

Chances continued to come and go before Amelia Woodgate doubled the lead early in the second half.

The London side got a goal back from a late corner but it was Chatham who took the points to leave the manager delighted.

“We should have probably had four or five more,” he said.

“They scored from a corner in the last minute of the game, which just evaded everyone. I think everyone thought the game was done and didn’t focus but we never looked in danger of losing it.

“I was immensely proud of them, they answered every question, responded to everything we did in training and in the first game back after Christmas the levels were good, energy levels were good and lots of candidates for player-of-the-match.

“We knew if we worked hard with a high press we would cause them problems.

“The opening goal came from our pressing which we had worked on in the week - it was fantastic. A shot from Amelia Woodgate, saved by the keeper and followed up which is something we talk about, making sure we follow up and Lottie did that.

“Amelia deserved her goal in the second half and worked so hard, backwards and forwards, I was really impressed with her and Ellie Perkins, who landed back from America late Friday night/early Saturday morning, hadn’t trained or played since our last game and she came in and got joint player-of-the-match with Amelia.”

Chatham’s last home game before Christmas attracted a crowd of just under 100 - in a goalless draw against Actonians.

Boanas has been in the crowd to see how well backed the men’s team are and hopes some of those fans will support his side this weekend.

He said: “It would be really nice to see some of those fans at our games. To have had 3,000 fans for the Dartford game, averaging 1,500-2,000 - we have half a dozen who follow us religiously and were there on Sunday.

“You’d like to think the more successful we are and with a game like this we might be able to grab a few more. We need a few more voices to show the girls they are appreciated.

“The women’s game has moved forward leaps and bounds at all levels. It would be nice to get some of the louder voices to watch our game and maybe even the drummer this Sunday.

“I know my players and I myself have supported the men’s team. I was at the Dartford game and it would be nice to get some of those fans at our game.”