A grassroots football club with ambitions of turning semi-professional has made a significant mark by winning its first piece of silverware. Camden United secured the Alec Smith Premier Division Cup with a 1-0 victory over Eagles Land Cricklewood at Uxbridge Football Club in West Drayton, Hillingdon.
Historic Victory
Striker Tomasz Siemienczuk scored the only goal from the penalty spot, etching his name into the club's history. Full-backs Elias Moreno and Hayden Mandangu-Makangu were named men-of-the-match, with manager Leon Louis calling them “the two best players on the pitch.”
Louis, who works for Westminster Council, praised his squad: “It feels brilliant seeing the club win their first trophy in Saturday men’s football. We’ve beaten some very good teams in this cup run, and despite the final being a close affair, we held our nerve, remained composed and got the win.”
Support and Team Spirit
The manager highlighted the support from friends and families, noting that the opposition crowd made the atmosphere uncomfortable at times, but the players stuck to the task. “Our squad is a mix of teenagers, some players who have been in and around this league for a while, and some experienced players who have played at a higher level. We all get on really well, everybody plays their role, and I really believe this will be the first trophy of many,” Louis added.
League Ambitions
Camden United are one promotion away from achieving their dream of semi-professional status. However, they face an uphill battle in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County League, currently 10 points behind leaders Hayes & Hillingdon with just five games remaining. Despite this, the team has shown resilience, following up their cup success with league wins over Kensington Dragons and Kodak, extending their unbeaten run to seven games, including six victories.
In the league alone, United have won 16 and drawn five of 27 matches—a commendable record at county level. Louis believes the future is bright: “To be honest, there were some really good signs even before this period. We’re very settled now, and have matured as the season has gone on. We’re at a place where there’s really good chemistry both on and off the pitch.”
Final Push
With five league games left, Louis has set a target for his team: “I’ve told the boys that, at this stage, I’d like us to finish in a league position where we can look back and feel proud. We play Hayes & Hillingdon this Saturday at home. They’re top of the table and are a very dogged and resolute side, so we know that we will need to be at our best. We will carry on trying our best and finish as strongly as we possibly can.”
