Camden Town WFC club captain Sophie Hoyle [Photos: Annabel Staff Photography]

IT was a defiant message: “We are ahead of where we expected to be in terms of our promotion journey.”

That was the battle-cry from Camden Town WFC chairman Richard Mahoney after the club’s title charge was officially ended.

A goalless home draw against Dulwich Hamlet Reserves leaves Town 13 points behind leaders Bromley in Division One North of the London & South East Regional League with just four games left to play.

But far from dwelling on any disappointments, Mahoney said he was proud of the way his squad have managed a season that has been tested by injuries, match postponements, and even an unexpected change of manager, which saw Darren Smith take over the reins after Harry Sherman stepped down citing personal reasons.

“It’s important to recognise the broader context,” insisted Mahoney, who lives in Highbury.

“It was pointed out after the game on Sunday that it is rare for a team to be promoted from county level into a regional league and immediately finish in the top three – there is usually a transition period. That is a very fair point.

Town goalkeeper Tamsin Wickens

“What this group has achieved this season, particularly given the challenges we’ve faced, including a change in management that was not planned at this stage, has been very strong. We are ahead of where we expected to be in terms of our promotion journey.

“Just to put that into perspective, we are unbeaten at home for 17 months. We have lost only two league games across the last two seasons. We have won two trophies in that time, a league and cup double. These are exceptional standards, and something we should all be proud of.”

Town had their chances at the weekend as they tackled a resilient Dulwich Hamlet Reserves side in front of a 65-plus crowd at the Maurice Rebak Stadium in North Finchley.

Striker Maria Paz Vera went the closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half, sending a rasping effort just wide of the post.

As the game edged towards its conclusion, Camden pushed for an all-important winner.

The afternoon ended in a moment of controversy with the home side calling for a penalty after captain Sophie Hoyle’s strike appeared to hit an arm inside the box, but the appeals were waved away as the match ended 0-0 and the points were shared.