Kentish Football 
A win over Heybridge Swifts will put us in a great position, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon
The Mead lie in fifth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table, with 42 points from 22 games.
They will leapfrog over third-placed side Heybridge Swifts with a win over the Essex outfit at Bayliss Avenue on Tuesday night, before runaway league leaders Maldon & Tiptree (58 points from 23 games) visit on Saturday.
McMahon’s men go into the games full of confidence after goals from Baff Addae and Enoch Adjei sealed a 2-1 home victory over Norfolk outfit Wroxham at the weekend.
McMahon said: “It was a good hard-fought 2-1 win to be honest. It was a bit of a pay-back from when we went up there and we lost 4-3 with a last minute goal and we got a last minute goal on Saturday.
”We thoroughly deserved it. They only had one proper effort on goal. We were a little bit rusty, obviously from the full squad hasn’t played together for a couple of weeks due to the weather, but we’ve done well.
”We battled hard and got what we deserved in the end.”
McMahon is looking forward to a couple of massive games against two of their promotion rivals.
Looking ahead to Heybridge Swifts first, McMahon said: ”We’ve got a tough week. We went up there first game of the season and drew 2-2. We really should have got the win there but they’ve strengthened as well. They’ve got the league’s top scorer. It’s going to be difficult.
”But we’re at home. Our home record is excellent. I’m expecting a really close game, but hopefully we can just about maybe squeeze through and get a big three points.
”It will put us in a great position. It will take us above them with a game in hand as well.”
Looking further ahead to Maldon & Tiptree’s visit at the weekend, the Mead boss said: “We went up there and lost 1-0 to a penalty about six or seven weeks ago. It was a really close, tight game. I’m expecting the same. They’ve had a couple of draws recently, they’re hitting a little bit of a sticky patch, but it will be a massive test to us.
”But it just shows you how far we’ve come, going into February and playing massive games against third and first.
”We’re still in with a shout. It’s really good for the club. If we can get six points it will be unbelievable, four would be great.
”We’re in the semi-finals of the League Cup and quarter-finals in the Kent Senior Cup the following Tuesday against Ramsgate and we’re still sitting there.
”Around the club is doing well, our reserves and youth teams. The football side is really good and we just need to keep it going.”
McMahon said his side are fighting fit, apart from long-term absentee Ross Lover.
He said: “We’ve got a complete full squad apart from Ross Lover, who has a long-term injury, but we’re all ok.
”We’re doing well. Our discipline is quite good. We’re top of the league in the fair play league and second overall in the Ryman League.
”I think everything’s going good guns for us. Hopefully we can keep out of injuries and suspensions and going into these really big games coming up.”
Four of his players (Stuart Zanone, Ashley Probets, Lea Dawson and Rob Carter) have scored at least ten goals this season.
McMahon said: ”Before we got Stuart (in from Kent League Rochester United) we didn’t score loads and loads of goals but we didn’t concede many. Recently we’re scoring goals and we’re also keeping the clean sheets as well. We’re sharing out goals all around the team.
”We had two different goalscorers on Saturday. We’re definitely a side that can score. You can’t just rely on one or two people because if they get injured or suspended then we’ll struggle. The lads have done well in that department so I’m pleased.”
Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk
Thamesmead Town v Heybridge Swifts
Ryman League Division One North
Tuesday 29th January 2013
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd