Chatham Town Women look for new defender after QPR defeat ahead of National League Cup trip to Billericay

Chatham Town Women’s boss Keith Boanas was hunting around for a defensive addition this week after early injury issues.

Boanas had to make a double change in defence last weekend at half-time due to injuries, and that didn’t help their cause as they went down to a 1-0 home loss against QPR - their first of the season.

A settled defensive unit was a key attribute to Boanas’ squad last season, but it’s taking time to settle down this time around.

“We haven’t got that balance and we have to try and find that again,” he said.

“We [ended up with] all four of my current signed-on centre-backs injured [last weekend] and that put us up against it. We were forced to make changes.

“This week, I’ve got feelers out looking for at least one replacement to tide us over, but it’s hard to bring one in because if the others all get fit again, then I’ll have a surplus.

“But right now, I’m looking to get someone in on a dual signing or a loan signing, or someone who’s prepared to come in and knows the circumstances that if they come in and do well, obviously they’ll stay in, but if they don’t, then it might be short-term.”

Chats had scored 14 goals in their first three games this season ahead of the QPR clash, but struggled to test the visiting keeper.

The National League Division 1 South East fixture was settled with a penalty.

It came just after Boanas was forced into some major reorganisation at the back following injuries to Ellie Perkins and Romany Wellington, who both went off at the break. He already had Grace Coombs missing and Parker Dunn couldn’t play because of concussion protocols.

“It all hit us at once and even a couple of our midfielders have been carrying slight knocks,” he said.

Boanas did admit he could have approached