Candi United after beating Aloysius 14-2

PLAYERS and supporters from Camden & Islington United certainly had a cracking Easter as they were crowned champions in Division One Central & East of the Middlesex County Football League.

More than 50 fans showed up pitchside at Market Road on Saturday to roar Candi United on to victory. And James Goldsmith’s side responded in style as they recorded their biggest win of the season with a thumping 14-2 victory over Aloysius at the artificial pitches in Islington.

From the second Jonny Ding opened the scoring in the sun, Candi United never looked back. Star striker Nestor Bokuli led the charge with a clinical hat-trick, while Ding, Adam Wurie and Ibrahim ended the afternoon with two goals each.

Having conjured up a string of assists, goal-maker Ryan Pickles capped an eye-catching performance with a deserved goal, while Ben Protheroe, Dwayne Reid, Nick Wigmore and James Briars also all found the back of the net.

The resounding rout saw Candi United capture the title with two games to spare, along with promotion to the Premier Division.

Fans celebrate the team sealing promotion over Easter

“This is a terrific achievement for everyone involved in the club,” said director of football, Nick Wigmore. “The players have been fantastic. So far we’ve only lost one of our 18 league games all season, and that was in the last minute. The club has now been running for four years, but because of Covid this is only our second full season. Last season we finished second but declined promotion because we didn’t feel ready.

“But this time we’re going up for sure – it’s a reward for all the hard work that our players and coaches have put in, and all the fans who have cheered us on every step of the way.”

Promotion brings with it a set of welcome problems for Candi United – the biggest of which is finding a new home ground. The top-flight of the Middlesex County Football League sits at step seven, or level 11, of the National League System – and means there are a series of demanding requirements.

Nick explained: “We have mainly been playing our home games at Regent’s Park but we are now searching for a new home because we need somewhere that fulfils a different set of demands, for example having floodlights and a club house where we can serve food after games.”

Such issues are to be tackled on another day, however, with Nick making it clear the season is far from over.

He added: “For now the players are fully focused on our game against FC Marylebone this Saturday at Market Road. We want to finish the campaign with an unbeaten home record, so it’s a big game for us.

“We have also got 47 points so far, and if we can get 50 or more points that would be another fantastic achievement for the club.”

To find out more info on joining Camden and Islington United, email info@candiunited.com or visit their website at www.candiunited.com