Thamesmead Town 2-0 Tunbridge Wells. McMahon: We're one of three to win league title - EXCLUSIVE

A goalkeeping blunder from James Simpson set the tone for an abject performance from Tunbridge Wells.

Pedro Knight celebrated his sixth goal of the season to hand Thamesmead Town the lead after 16 minutes before former VCD Athletic midfielder James Brown headed home his second of the season ten minutes later.

Tunbridge Wells, meanwhile, had a 24^th minute shot from Danny Nicholls saved and a last minute effort from Sam Phillips, which he blazed high over the bar, to show during their sorry performance where you can't find too many positives.

Thamesmead almost broke the deadlock inside the opening four minutes but Andy Garrett was on hand to hack Sam Thomas’ glancing header off the line following Scott Saunders’ free-kick.

Former Ashford Town midfielder John-Paul Collier arrowed a shot just over the top of the far post from the left-hand side of the penalty area.

Tunbridge Wells’ manager Martin Farnie, whose side have yet to win in 10 Kent League outings and are rooted to the foot of the table with just two points, issued instructions to his players, but they failed to grasp what he was telling them.

And it was no surprise when Thamesmead opened the scoring after 16 minutes.

Highly-rated midfielder Pedro Knight cut in from the right and stroked a left-footed shot, which should have been saved at his near post by Simpson, but the former Dartford goalkeeper allowed the shot to slide past him.

But Simpson made amends with a fine double save before he was beaten from the resulting corner.

Striker Rikki Cable, who caused the visitors problems during the first half, beat three defenders but his shot was blocked by Simpson.

Brown then played the ball to Collier on the right hand side of the box and Simpson turned his near post shot around for a corner.

But Brown powered home Scott Saunders’ far-post corner to give Thamesmead a deserved two goal cushion.

An offside flag prevented the home side flying into a three-goal lead just before half-time.

Knight’s 25-yard drive was parried by Simpson and the flag had already been raised before Sam Thomas stabbed his shot into the bottom right hand corner.

Tunbridge Wells’ midfielder Sam Phillips lost possession to shaven headed Scot Mulholland in the middle of the park, but Phillips had Simpson to thank for plucking the 25-yard chip out of the air.

Tunbridge Wells, meanwhile, pulled themselves together during the second half as Thamesmead Town took their foot of the pedal.

The home side’s best chance to increase their lead came after 68 minutes when a clearance from substitute goalkeeper Sam Mills found Collier, who spun his marker, and his threaded pass set up Cable.

But the former Faversham Town striker rolled the ball past Simpson but Wells’ skipper Jason Bourne was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon, whose led his side to the summit after 11 league games, insists his side will stay there.

“A clean sheet is always good,” he said EXCLUSIVEY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after tonight’s comfortable win.

“I had a look at the form guide before we left today and I see we’ve only conceded three goals in the last six games.”

He is, however, taking this cup competition seriously. “As I’ve said before it’s a competition we’re taking seriously,” he said. “I’ve rested five players and gave two debuts to two 16-year-olds in Adam Woodward and Bradley Killick.

“A good first half (but we) took our foot of the gas second half to be fair.”

McMahon admitted his side are one of three clubs that can clinch the Kent League title at the end of the season.

He said: “We’re not blowing our trumpets too much as it’s early days yet.

“I’ve got a really strong side. I think we’re one of three. I think there’s three of us now that’s got a really good chance and we’re one of them.

“Looking at the league table will tell you - I think it’s Whitstable and VCD.

“That’s no disrespect to the Faversham’s and the Greenwich Borough’s, they’ve been superb - and Sevenoaks.

“I haven’t really seen a bad side in the league yet but I think there’s three. If we’re in amongst it at Christmas I think it’s the way it’s going to pan out.”

But whilst McMahon is looking to win the league, Martin Farnie is puzzled why his side are still searching for their first league win.

“I’m not very happy to be honest,” the Tunbridge Wells manager told www.kentishfootball.co.uk. “I’m just disappointed with our performances and I just can’t put my finger on it at the moment so I’m not very happy with them at the moment.”

Farnie bemoaned about his side’s defending but did praise 16-year-old central defender Justin Shea.

“The first one is down to the goalkeeper and the second one if just poor plain defending,” he fumed.

“In ninety minutes of football we ain’t scored a goal today - and had a shot on target - it’s rubbish!

“I just can’t put my finger on it at the moment We’ve been good in the Vase, we went six games undefeated, looked really good, and we lose at Lordswood and the wheels have come off.

“All the confidence is gone, people’s heads are in their shoulders and we’ve got no confidence.”

Fans have criticised the club’s stay-away director of football Gary Stevens, but Farnie insists his hands are tied.

“The players have got to turn it around themselves,” said Farnie. “They’re aint no more players coming in because we ain’t got no money to go and get more players.

“So this is what we’ve got and I’ve been trying to get more players but no-one wants to come here.

“My best player was a 16-year-old kid today, Justin Shea. I thought he was outstanding tonight and some of the players have to look at themselves and look at him and think if he’s pulling his weight I think they should too.

“I’m just disappointed with some of their efforts - it was a whimper tonight.”