Camden & Islington United’s unstoppable strikeforce Karl Usher-Williams, left, and Ryan Pickles

WATCH OUR POLITICS CHANNEL, PEEPS, ON YOUTUBE

CONCERN outweighed the cheers on Saturday afternoon when Camden & Islington “Candi” United booked their place in the semi-finals of the Middlesex County League’s Alec Smith Premier Division Cup.

Strike partners Karl Usher-Williams and Ryan Pickles have been in formidable form this season. And the pair of goal-getters from Pimlico in Westminster were at it again at the weekend when they combined to open the scoring against Soccer Stars Fennecs at Hackney Marshes.

Pickles’ initial shot was well-saved by the goalkeeper midway through the first-half, but Usher-Williams reacted quickly to get on the end of the rebound.

Goals at this level don’t come easily, however, and his header was cleared off the line, only for Pickles to pounce from close range and break the deadlock.

The quarter-final tie was going all Candi’s way. That was until shortly after the hour-mark when Usher-Williams collided with the goalkeeper while trying to continue the scintillating form that has seen the striker score seven goals in his last four games.

“Karl went up with the goalkeeper and got caught in his side, it was just one of those challenges that happens in football,” explained Candi manager Nick Wigmore. “As he limped off the pitch we thought that maybe he had fractured a rib or something.

“We drove him to nearby Homerton Hospital and discovered that he had lacerated his liver and his kidney. It was pretty shocking.”

Usher-Williams spent a couple of nights in hospital before being discharged under orders to rest.

Incredibly, there are now hopes that the forward could be back playing again in just a matter of months.

Nick added: “Karl has been in fantastic form in front of goal this season. He’s always willing to put his body on the line for the team, he’s going to be a big miss.

“Everyone at the club is wishing him a speedy recovery, and hopefully he will soon be back out on the pitch banging in the goals.”

Until then Candi will have to rely on Pickles to keep doing what he does best. The forward made it 19 goals in 19 games on Saturday by grabbing a second against Soccer Stars Fennecs to wrap up a hard-fought 2-0 win.

But incredibly that wasn’t enough to earn Pickles the man-of-the-match award – that honour instead going to midfielder Ricardo Matos, who stood in between the sticks after both Candi’s first-choice goalkeeper and reserve shot-stopper were ruled out through injury.

Camden & Islington United will now play the winners of this Saturday’s match between Larkspur Rovers and SL Benfica in the semi-finals, which are due to be held on Saturday, March 8.

Both teams pose a difficult challenge, but the Candi players will remain confident no matter who they face.

The club has enjoyed plenty of successes of their own in recent years, winning the London FA Junior Cup last season, and being crowned Division One champions in the Middlesex County League in 2022/23.

Looking forward to the latest silverware chase, Nick said: “The boys have been playing really well, and have now won five games in a row.

“Against Fennecs on Saturday I thought we were brilliant in the first-half. We found it a lot tougher in the second half, but we managed to keep a clean sheet which is always pleasing.

“We haven’t played Larkspur yet this season, and our previous game against Benfica was very close – so whoever we play next we can expect a very tough game.

“It’s a cup semi-final, so of course all the teams that are involved will be up for it: none of the players will need any extra motivation. We’re looking forward to it.”

First, though, comes a testing away day against Jolof Sports in the league this Saturday.

Candi go into the match sitting sixth in the Premier Division table, just nine points behind leaders SL Benfica with a game in hand. Jolof, meanwhile, are second.

Neighbouring rivals Camden United – not to be confused with Candi – will also believe that they are still very much in the mix. They are currently fourth in the table, six points off top-spot but they have played two games more than Benfica. Camden host Hilltop this weekend.