KENT SENIOR TROPHY FINAL: I'd swap Trophy glory for Ryman football, says McMahon - EXCLUSIVE

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon would sacrifice winning the Kent Senior Trophy on Sunday with a place in the Ryman League next season, writes Stephen McCartney.

McMahon’s table-topping men need just one win from their last two Kent League games - against Faversham Town and Greenwich Borough - to clinch promotion.

But whether the Bayliss Avenue club will be playing in the southern or northern division of that league next season has yet been decided, although McMahon, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, doesn’t mind what division he’s side will be placed in.

But he warned: “We can blow it if we lose both games and the other sides win theirs. We’re in a good position and we’re very confident that we can finish the job off.

“We need one win out of two games but we have to go to Greenwich Borough (on the last day of the season).

“We’re on a good run at the moment and we are focusing on the Faversham game at the moment.”

It is hard to decide which of Sunday’s finalists, Thamesmead or Beckenham Town, will be celebrating glory come Sunday evening.

“Why would you cast them favourites, it’s very even!” insisted McMahon. “They’re a good side, play good football and got some good players and it’s going to be a good game for the neutral.

“We’re confident that we’re going to win, we don’t fear no one and with the pressure off us it’s going to be a good game - they feel the same.”

If McMahon’s side were to lose one of their last three games it would be Sunday’s Cup final.

“Sunday would hurt if we did lose as this week we have concentrated on the final,” he said.

“We’ve been doing things properly. We would swap it to win the league and Ryman League football and it will be the icing on the cake if we win both.

“We will treat the Cup - and Beckenham - with the respect they deserve.”

McMahon revealed that he’ll be taking his full eighteen-man squad to Park View Road but reported some good news ahead of the showpiece final.

Club captain Dean Kearley, who has missed the last three months with a troublesome knee ligament injury, is going to play for the reserves tomorrow and will be available for selection on Sunday and so is Rob Tarrant (ankle) and veteran Peter Deadman (groin).

“I’ve got a selection headache but we’ll do things properly,” vowed McMahon.

“I’ve got the whole squad to pick from. I’m not going to put a weakened side out. Our aim is to win the Cup. If someone has got a niggling knock we’ll validate that on the day.”

The Mead will be meeting prior to the game for breakfast before getting in their cars to make the short trip to Welling.

“We’ve got a celebration afterwards win or lose.” said McMahon.

Central defender Lew Watts, meanwhile, returns to one of his former clubs, Welling United, in what hopes to be a magical couple of days for him as he’s expected to become a father again on Monday.

“Lew’s experience in the last ten games is absolutely immense,” praised McMahon. “Lew, Richard Dimmock, Lee Coburn and James Brown have steadied the ship.

“Lew’s performances for the last three months has been absolutely exceptional and leads by example and is a pillar of strength and the youngsters have responded to him. You can’t buy that experience and he’s loved every minute of it.”

A crowd of over 600 is expected.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this match

Visit club websites: 

www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk

Beckenham Town v Thamesmead Town
Kent Senior Trophy Final
Sunday 13^th April 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY