Relegation has been confirmed for Chatham Town Women - but manager Keith Boanas
insists their season is far from over.

A 5-0 defeat to Ipswich Town Women last Saturday sealed Chats’ fate in front of a crowd of 10,173 at Portman Road as they begin to prepare for next season in National League Division 1 South.

Still without a National League Southern Premier Division victory, Chatham host
Cheltenham Town ladies this Sunday.

Boanas said: “I used one of the Academy girls (Chiedza Madamombe) on Saturday.

“It’s nice to show a picture of her in the middle of the pitch, surrounded by about 10,000
people - assuming she stays because you never really know with players. There’s certainly some young blood in there (Chatham’s Academy) that can be looked at.

“It looks like relegation is officially confirmed, unless the FA do a restructuring of the divisions.

“We have got another three games to go - although they’re spread out. It’s a really odd way to be doing things.

“But it would be nice to get at least one win out of them. If it’s going to come, it will probably come this weekend.

“We drew with them (0-0) in my first game in charge.

“The other two are games against teams towards the top of the table (Hashtag United on April 21 and Rugby Borough on May 5) and they will be tough nuts to crack.”

Ipswich proved far too strong for Chats, despite a first-half penalty save by away keeper Simone Eligon.

Vastly-experienced boss Boanas reflected: “It was about what I expected, knowing the
circumstances and both clubs’ situations.

“Some of our players have definitely never played in that environment before. So, obviously, there was a mixture of nerves, excitement and anticipation.

“The mood going in was good.

“We know we’re not fighting for our lives anymore, it’s just a case of trying to see out the season with self-pride. Everyone needs to show what they’re capable of as much as possible.

“We were under pressure early on. I had a nice compliment from their manager, Joe
Sheehan, before the game. He said it was going to be an honour coaching against me - and I don’t think he was being sarcastic when he said that!

“Even though he’s there at Ipswich, I think it’s the first time he has coached there (at
Portman Road). They’re a hybrid side, near-enough full-time and their coaching staff
are full-time.

“Their fitness levels showed through from early on, really.”

Making matters worse, Chatham were dealt an early injury blow before the home goals started to flow.

Boanas, disappointed to be forced to leave out on-loan Ipswich forward Holly Turner
against her parent club, said: “Our skipper-on-the-day, our vice-captain Lenny Priest, got a whack in the head. That delayed the game.

“But she’s okay now. Lenny went to hospital and that shocked us on Saturday. Not
long after that, they scored their first couple of goals quite quickly. That was disappointing.

“Their manager, and even the journalists there, said that it was a tighter game than they
anticipated.

“The result says one thing but, maybe, the performance says another.

“But they are where they are and we are where we are.”

Boanas would like to know if Chatham’s players plan to stay next season ahead of the run-in but thinks it’s unlikely any of his troops are going to show their hand.

“The tough one is players aren’t going to admit they won’t be staying at this stage,” he
said.

“If players were to say they were going to go, that would change my opinion. But no one is going to own up to that at this stage.

“They don’t get massive salaries, but they make some money. So, I’m not going to get that out of them yet.

“There’s a little bit of thought process and working out to do around that with that.

“We just hope that our players - even if you are leaving - they put themselves in the shop window.

“Don’t let your performances drop. In fact, you should raise it.

“Hopefully, those that play give it their all.”