Chatham Town Women are preparing for a big FA Cup tie.

Keith Boanas' mid-table National League Division 1 South East side are due to face Southern Premier Division AFC Wimbledon in the first round on Sunday (2pm).

The fixture - due to be played at Dons' Plough Lane Stadium - is expected to attract a bumper crowd.

"We played them and managed to get a 5-4 win in this competition in 2023," said Boanas.

"We played them in pre-season and we did beat them [4-1] - although they weren't at full strength.

"They have got some players that have played higher and, ironically, one of those lives on the doorstep of Chatham!

"Their results have been a bit erratic this season but they will be buzzing with it being played at the Lane.

"I'm sure they're really hopeful that there will be a big crowd."

Chatham were 6-0 victors at Beaconsfield Town earlier this month to progress to this stage. The winners will earn £6,000 in prize money.

Boanas said: "We have got to treat it like it's our final.

"The team we played in the last round, Beaconsfield, they did that, even though we eventually broke them down.

"This is the FA Cup so there's the financial element, as well. It's being played at a good stadium and in front of a good crowd.

"If that's not enough to get you up in order for our players to perform, they shouldn't be playing."

Chatham suffered a 1-0 defeat at Dulwich Hamlet in the first round of the League Cup last weekend.

"I'm severely disappointed in our performance," reflected Boanas, without forward Amy Russ due to illness while twins Amelia Woodgate and Madison Woodgate were restricted to substitute appearances, having only returned from a break last Friday.

"Full credit to Dulwich who, obviously, had done their homework. They had a game-plan and we didn't deal with it.

"Although we improved in the second half, we allowed them to get a goal. A shot deflected off a couple of bodies and went past Simone Eligon, who had an outstanding game.

"We missed two great opportunities but, apart from that, their keeper didn't have any real saves to make."

The magnitude of Chats' next cup clash makes the importance of a reaction even stronger.

"You should be reacting to any defeat," said Boanas. "The fact we have got this game, that demands a reaction."

Chats will get a chance to get revenge on Dulwich when they play them in Division 1 South East at the Bauvill Stadium on Wednesday.

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