Camden Town striker Ginny Somers in action against Saltdean United [Sophia Demetriades]

THEIR Women’s FA Cup dream is over for another season, but for Camden Town an eye-catching run in the competition has “strengthened their belief” that the higher echelons of the game are waiting for them.

Despite going into Sunday’s Third Round Qualifier away to Saltdean United off the back of seven straight wins, Town were very much the underdogs as they squared up against an opponent that plays two tiers above them in the football pyramid.

For the first time this season, that clinical edge in front of goal didn’t belong to Camden as Saltdean sealed a 3-0 victory at the Hill Park Stadium in Brighton. But a cup campaign that has produced three wins and 16 goals has given Town plenty to build on.

Pulling the positives, club chairman Richard Mahoney, who lives in Highbury, said: “Playing a tier four side has only strengthened our belief in what we’re building at Camden Town.

“Saltdean punished our early mistakes and were clinical with their chances, but the way we responded, particularly in the second half, showed that we can compete with a team that plays two divisions above us.

“We came away with a clearer understanding of the standards that we need to reach, and a confidence that those standards are very much within our grasp.

Town chairman Richard Mahoney, who was in the stands for the tie [Sophia Demetriades]

“There’s a lot in our preparation, our football and the commitment of our players that gives me real belief that we can keep climbing the pyramid. The challenge now is to turn that potential into consistent performances and earn our place at that level.”

Having enjoyed “a team-building” overnight stay in Brighton ahead of Sunday’s tie, Darren Smith’s side had high hopes of reaching the Women’s FA Cup first round for the first time.

But their preparations were far from ideal, with first-choice goalkeeper Tamsin Wickens out injured, while back-up shot-stopper Emme Morgan was cup-tied.

It meant that Town had to agree an emergency short-term loan deal with Luton Town for Maelie Rance, who started in goal, while Under-18s keeper Sasha Vadgama was recalled from her loan spell at Sporting Duet to provide cover on the bench.

On the pitch, Camden’s hopes were hit hard from the off as they found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening seven minutes following strikes from Dani Lane and Caitlin Sullivan.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors just before the half-hour mark when Saltdean skipper Georgia Bridges added a third for the National League side.

Town continued to show tremendous spirit, but a cup comeback never materialised. They will now be hoping for a response this Sunday when they return to action in Division One North of the London & South East Regional League away to Ebbsfleet United, a side that they have already beaten 6-0 this season in the Women’s FA Cup.

“Despite the result, I could not have been prouder of this group,” added Mahoney.

“They fought for each other, fought for the badge and gave everything they had.

“Defeats have been few and far between with this team, and that reflects how much they give every time that they step onto the pitch.

“Now we have to learn from this defeat and use it. Losing doesn’t define great teams, how they respond does. I know the character in this dressing room, and I have every confidence in how they will respond.”