Chatham Town Women’s manager Keith Boanas knows his team have to up their game against promotion rivals Norwich this Sunday.

Last weekend’s 2-0 win over relegation candidates London Seaward returned them to the top of the National League Division 1 South East table, but they visit a Norwich side with an eye on promotion themselves.

Boanas said: “We certainly need to up our game but we tend to raise our game against stronger opponents.

“We’ve just got to maintain our attitude. We can’t afford to have people dropping off like [they did on Sunday]. We know that has to be better.

“Norwich were runners-up last year, they’ve got some decent players and they’re supported by a Championship club. They’ve got quite a strong team set-up and we need to be on it.”

Chatham overcame a London side they had recently beaten 8-0 in the Combined Counties Cup.

Boanas had warned against complacency but it remained an uncomfortable afternoon at the Bauvill Stadium on Sunday.

Ellie Jeffkins scored the opener after just eight minutes but the second from Darcy Wells wasn’t scored until three minutes from the end of normal time.

Boanas said: “It wasn’t comfortable. We beat them 8-0 last time and we got into the syndrome where it was like we just had to walk out on the pitch. The first half was horrible.

“We got an early goal and you could almost say it was too early because it looked like it was going to be the same again. We visibly dropped off with our standards as if it was just going to be a cakewalk. We created enough opportunities again but we didn’t finish them and as it went on at 1-0 you’re thinking one mistake, they nick a goal and it becomes a disaster.

“All the staff had been saying the same thing, ‘don't assume, don't be complacent’.

“I know what their coach is like and he knows he's got a weakened side, he knows he's facing relegation and he's just avoiding embarrassment. They sat in a low block. They had 11 players inside the penalty area at the time we attacked.

“Their keeper had a much better game and probably saved three or four. Any other game would have been certain goals, so full credit to her.”

The visiting keeper went off with a broken finger late on and had to be replaced by an outfield player, which is when Chatham struck their crucial second.

“It was a well-taken goal, a decent delivery and a great header from Darcy Wells,” said the manager.

“The points are the biggest positive, but with the goal difference between us and [second placed] Bedford, it’s annoying that we haven’t added or closed that gap because it really could come down to that. We went above them but any slip-ups from us could see that reversed.”

Real Bedford were replaced at the top after drawing 1-1 with Norwich. The top two are separated by a point. Norwich are three points behind Chats but have played a game more.

Boanas’ side follow up their visit to The Nest this Sunday - Norwich’s home ground - with a game on Wednesday when they play Dulwich Hamlet away.

The draw for the Kent Women’s Cup semi-final sees them play at Aylesford Ladies on Sunday, February 16.

With another away game at Queens Park Rangers the following week, Chats aren’t scheduled to play a home game again until they meet Norwich i on Sunday, March 9

“This is a six-game month,” said Boanas.

“That’s a lot for players at this level. Combined with work and studies and everything else that our girls do.

“Every league game is essentially a cup final. We’ve got Norwich, home and away. Tough games. Midweek at Dulwich is not going to be an easy game.

“We haven’t smashed anybody and all of the teams we’ve played already will always be looking to improve. We’ve just got to try and win every game to guarantee it.

“I am still disappointed with a couple of the league games where we threw away points. We’d be sitting more comfortably now and I’m still sore over the FA Cup exit at the time that we did.

“But you can't keep looking back, you’ve got to look forward. We’ve grown, certainly we are a far more closer group after coming through some adversity, coming through injuries and illnesses, we seem to be getting through those slowly but surely.”