Manager Keith Boanas is happy with the competition for places Chatham Town Women have in forward areas - even if it leaves him with some tough calls to make!

The title-chasing FA National League Division 1 South East team extended their winning run to five games with Sunday’s 1-0 league home victory over fourth-bottom Cambridge United.

Otesha Charles came up with the match’s only goal but the 31-year-old Guyana international is one of many attacking options Boanas has at his disposal.

Chats’ boss said: “We have Otesha Charles, Amelia Woodgate and Lottie Sharp, who’s not exactly flying yet, but she’s always creating chances. She hit the post on Sunday and had one cleared off the line so the goals will come for her.

“There’s Jess King, who is a seasoned player and plenty of others. It’s a tough one.

“I’ve had to explain to the players that I’m having to do a rotation system at times. It’s the toughest job I’ve got.

“Most people will say that it’s not the worst thing to have to do - but it’s never nice, explaining to a player before a game why you haven’t picked them and they look at you as if to say ‘I hate you!’.

“The big positive is the unity we have got in the squad and the respect the players have got for each other.

“I’m really pleased about that.”

For Charles, her effort against Cambridge was her 10th goal of the campaign.

“Otesha is a frustrating player,” said Boanas. “She could probably get a hat-trick in every game!

“She’s full of energy. She makes rash decisions at times, but gets herself in the right place at the right time. You certainly cannot complain about her statistics.

“She’s not a youngster but still keeps herself fit so full credit to her.”

While Chatham had concerns over the availability of keeper Simone Eligon prior to kick-off, the Trinidad & Tobago international, not only came through the game, but also came up with a clean sheet.

Boanas said: “We just didn’t take our chances and we gave them hope. We never looked in any danger of losing at any point.

“We had concerns about our keeper the night before because she was a bit ill, but she overcame that. We missed chances to make our win more convincing - but they’re not a bottom-four side.

“They’re a better side than that. They’re a side that can be dangerous.

“It was another home win. We just need to make sure we can continue that through because we have got more away games than home games after Christmas.

“The problem is, at the end of the season, there’s a real chance the title might be decided on goal difference. That’s something we need to be aware of.

“But it was another clean sheet on Sunday and, if you keep a clean sheet, you have got a good chance of winning.”

Chats remain well-placed in third, three points off the summit with a fixture in hand.

While they will be in cup action this Sunday, the top two face one another.

“That’s what we have stressed all along,” said Boanas. “If we can keep ourselves in the top three, we keep ourselves in the mix.

“The game after the weekend one is the London Seaward one [a game Chats had led 2-0 last month before it was abandoned due to a player injury] so we want to win that by three goals at least to make amends for last time.

“Real Bedford, if I had to pick someone to win the league and it wasn’t us, it probably would be them. This Actonians side is a bit of an enigma to me.

“But they’re grinding results out so it will be interesting to see what happens - and who drops points - when they play each other.”

Next up is a trip to divisional rivals London Bees in the FA Cup second round.

Boanas’ team were 4-0 winners at home in the league in September, although they have only lost once since and are on an eight-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

“We had a good result against them earlier in the season but they have picked up some good results since,” said boss Boanas. “I think their manager was up for manager-of-the-month in October.

“It will be a tough game - but it’s a winnable game.

“If we put our best foot forward, I would expect us to get a good result. At this level, it tends to be more about us getting them to worry about us rather than worrying about them.

“But anything can happen in the FA Cup.”

The winners of the tie will pocket £8,000 in prize money.