Thamesmead boss McMahon targets top-ten finish

KEITH McMAHON believes his in-form Thamesmead Town side need to clinch another eleven points to maintain their Ryman League status, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Mead travel to Chatham Town tomorrow - their only Kent rival in division one north - on a five-match unbeaten run and McMahon says he wants a top-ten finish in their first ever campaign at this level.

Thamesmead took their tally to 24 points with a fine 2-1 win over promotion chasing Ware in their last game and McMahon, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on Boxing Day, is delighted that his side are now 13 points clear of the drop zone.

“It was a game we dominated from start to finish,” said McMahon. “The first half wasn’t the best of football but the second half we came out and played really well.

“We went 1-0 up through a Rob Tarrant header at the back post and 2-0 up ten minutes later after new signing Byron Walker got us a penalty and Lewis Wood scored his ninth goal in 11 games for us.

“To be fair we were a little rampant and we could have scored two or three. We looked really comfortable.

“Ware scored on the breakaway. We had Adam Woodward in goal and they didn’t trouble us from there on.”

McMahon was disappointed with the club’s start, but has high hopes for their last twenty league games.

“If I’m honest, we underestimate the strength of the league at the beginning of the season and we got punished by mistakes,” the raven haired boss said.

“We’ve settled down; we’ve had one defeat in eight. Our side has changed, players have come and go, and we’re doing ok.

“We’re another eleven points to be safe. I think 35 (points) will keep us up. We’re looking for a top ten finish to be fair, we just need a run.

“We normally have a very good second half of the season and we’re looking to carry on our run and pick up points.

“Firstly, we need to secure those 35 points and secondly establish ourselves.”

The club are looking forward to the £4.m redevelopment of their modest Bayliss Avenue ground that takes place in 2009.

“With our wages, our expenses we pay, we’re the lowest side,” said McMahon. “People have said we’re punching above our weight.

“We have a bright future, the building work is starting in May. It’s going to be a year to complete. As soon as we hit 2009 we’re in the same year as the building work so there’s a lot of plusses for the club to look forward to.”

Former Dartford goalkeeper, Tony Kessell, returns from his one-match suspension for tomorrow’s trip to Chatham Town - and James Brown returns to strengthen the midfield.

Both Thamesmead and Chatham were expected to be much higher in this division and McMahon, whose side have accumulated seven more points than Steve Binks’ side - who are one place lower in 18^th place - believes both have underestimated their rivals.

“It’s more of a big game for them, being seven points behind us, needing to close the gap,” said McMahon.

“It’s nice to play the derbies around Christmas time, it’s just another game for us.

"I think the Northern Division looks stronger. No-one guaranteed to be in this position. Like us, they might have underestimated the strength of the league as well.”

Visit Chatham Town’s website:  www.chathamtownfc.net

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website:  www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk

Chatham Town v Thamesmead Town
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 27^th December 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6ES