Chatham Town Women are showing some encouraging signs - but a tough home fixture awaits on Sunday.

Interim boss Kevin Hake is hoping the home fans can help spur them on against Ipswich Town as they continue to seek a first win of the season in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division.

Ellie Jeffkins scored a stunner for Chats last Sunday as they returned from their game at Cardiff City with a point, following a 1-1 draw.

Hake said: “The performance last weekend against an in-form Cardiff team was really encouraging.

“That’s three performances in a row now that they have played well and deserved to get something out of the game.

“All I can ask as interim manager is that they take onboard instructions and improve week on week. I can slowly see the confidence of the team growing as they believe in themselves more and more.

“The work-rate was excellent also and with the ability we have in the team I am confident that we will climb out of the predicament we currently find ourselves in.

Jeffkins scored Chatham’s goal against Cardiff direct from a free-kick, picking out the top corner with a great strike from 25-yards to cancel out Libby Piggott’s opener for The Dragons, after she curled the ball home following a mazy run through the defence to beat keeper Cara Davies.

Grace Coombs came close to putting Chats ahead before the break but neither side managed to find a winner during a close battle in the second half.

Chats take on fourth-placed Ipswich Town (2.30pm kick off) this Sunday.

Hake said: “We have a tough game ahead but as long as we give a good account of ourselves that’s all we can ask.

“If the fans continue to get behind us then that will only spur the team on to achieve greater things.”

Interviews are taking place this week at Chatham for a permanent manager and the club hope to make an announcement next week.