DFDS Kent Women’s Cup Final: Chatham Town 2 Dartford 1

Chatham Town manager Keith Boanas admitted they had to win ugly on Thursday night to get their hands on the Kent Women’s Cup.

It was a physical encounter against a Dartford side who they had already beaten twice in other cup competitions this season. Goals from Jess King and player-of-the-match Lottie Sharp helped clinch a 2-1 win at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium.

Chats keeper Simone Eligon saved a penalty from Shauni Griffiths in the first half and made two other top reflex saves to deny Dartford, who did get one back late in the game through Amy Russ.

“I’ve got nothing but pride for the players,” said Boanas, whose side had already won the Isthmian League Cup and will face Watford in the final of the Combined Counties Cup later this month.

“We knew what we were up against and despite the fact we said we weren't going to get dragged into that, we had no choice, and that's kind of credit to them. They’ve probably missed out on promotion and this was their cup. Same as when we went to Billericay, that was their cup, so we've now stolen two cups off two cup holders.

“I'm immensely proud of this group, the whole group, and they've really come together, even the players who didn't play and were on the bench.

“There was a bit of trepidation but they responded to what we said and we sorted out at half-time a little bit as well.

“We said ‘we're being too nice here, we're letting them do it, we've just got to give that back but we've also got to use our brains’ and I think we did. We started to get a little bit more composed.”

Chatham – cheered on by a noisy travelling support - had taken a 16th-minute lead when Dartford were unable to clear Lucy Jones’ cross and when the ball popped up for King she converted from