Match winner Orla Conlan in action against Hammersmith on Sunday [Annabel Staff/annabelstaff.com]

THE “title race is very much alive” in the London & South East Regional Women’s League after Camden Town WFC toppled the leaders on Sunday.

Orla Conlan’s early strike proved enough to earn Town a 1-0 victory over Hammersmith at the Maurice Rebak Stadium in North Finchley.

The win leaves Darren Smith’s side third in the Division One North table, 13 points off the summit but with three games in hand.

“I am incredibly proud of the players,” said Town chairman Richard Mahoney, who lives in Islington. “The courage they showed, the composure, the work rate – it was outstanding.

“I’m also proud of the work Darren is doing. You can see his influence all over the team already.

“We are going to push Hammersmith all the way. The pressure is on them now, and I’m not sure they can handle it. The title race is very much alive!”

Camden Town versus Hammersmith is fast becoming a fixture layered with history.

Last season, Camden clinched the Premier Division title in the Greater London Women’s League following a 1-1 draw against their west London rivals, who ended up as runners-up.

A week later Camden came out on top again, this time beating Hammersmith on penalties to capture the John Greenacre Memorial Trophy to complete a memorable league and cup double.

A clarion call was sent out ahead of Sunday’s latest chapter between the two clubs asking for a big crowd to turn up and help create “a proper atmosphere”. And more than 160 supporters obliged as they gathered in the stands to see Town produce a statement performance against an unbeaten Hammersmith squad that had won 14 and drawn one of their previous 15 league games – that draw coming against Camden back in October.

This time around the hosts needed less than 10 minutes to break the deadlock – midfielder Conlan unleashing a low, powerful drive from inside the box that skidded past the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net.

Hammersmith threatened in patches. Their best opportunity saw Camden captain Sophie Hoyle’s perfectly-timed tackle deny Iona Bennett from converting what looked a certain equaliser.

At the other end of the pitch, Town could have added to their advantage. Maria Paz Vera went close in a one-on-one with Hammersmith keeper Emma Vigolo, while Josie Shand found herself in a similar position but was unable to double their lead.

Ultimately, Camden’s organisation, intensity and belief proved decisive as the one early goal settled matters.

Reflecting on three big points, Smith said: “I was confident in the players all week. I believed in the plan and I believed in them to execute it. They showed discipline, courage and intelligence in how they approached the game.

“We just need to keep winning. That’s the message. We’ll be working hard in training every week and focusing on ourselves.”

Camden didn’t get things all their own way on Sunday, however. Midway through the second half star midfielder Maxine Borden was forced off with a knee injury, and was due to undergo a scan this week.