To finish in the play-off’s would be an unbelievable achievement, says McMahon

Monday 01st February 2010

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon praised his side for showing their battling qualities as a Rikki Cable strike was enough to beat Tilbury at the weekend, writes Stephen McCartney.

Their fourteenth league win of the season keeps the Bayliss Avenue side in second place in the Ryman League Division One North table - 12 points behind Lowestoft Town.

“It was difficult, difficult conditions,” McMahon told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today. “The pitch was very heavy and also very hard in places because of the weather and we didn’t play well first half. We were absolutely awful and Tilbury played quite well but didn’t really create any chances.

“But we had four or five exceptional chances, just created out of nothing. Even though we played bad we should have come in at half-time 3-0 up.

“I gave them a bit of a going over at half-time and second half we were outstanding. We missed three or four excellent opportunities but we were well on top and then Rikki scored a typical Rikki goal to put us

1-0 up and we were comfortable from then on. We looked like we were going to get a second to be fair.

“I was really pleased as Tilbury are a very good side and have some really good players. To win 1-0, have a battling performance on a very hard and heavy pitch, which we don’t really have down at Bayliss Avenue - but with the conditions we have had recently it was - we handed it very well.”

McMahon paid tribute to his defence, who have conceded only 28 goals in 26 league games - the third meanest defence in the division.

He said: “I’ve got a very good defence and when we weren’t playing well we soaked up pressure and Northy (goalkeeper Steve Northwood) didn’t have any shots to save.”

Thamesmead presently occupy the top play-off spot, which would mean that Bayliss Avenue would stage both play-off games at the end of the season.

McMahon’s men are five points clear of the side in fifth place (Great Wakering Rovers), but the boss admits finishing in the play-off’s would be a marvellous achievement for a club that average crowds of just 64 - the fourth worst supported club in the division.

McMahon said: “It’s three points and keeps us where we are and just puts pressure on the teams around us, apart from Lowestoft who are walking away with it.

“If we have any ambitions to hold onto a play-off spot we need to put pressure on teams around us. All the teams are waiting to see us slip up but we’re grinding results out.

“For us to finish in the play-off’s would be an unbelievable achievement. We have lost one game since November and that was against Lowestfoft, before that it was at the beginning of October, so we’ve lost two games and that’s why we’re second. We’re a hard team to beat.

“If we got into the play-off’s that would be a dream. I don’t mind if we finish fifth, that would be unbelievable for us, a small club. Home advantage would be nice but it’s a big if.”

Looking ahead to Romford’s visit tomorrow night, McMahon wants his side to complete the double over the Essex boys.

“We played them at the beginning of the season and we won 4-1 away in the first week of the season and we were 1-0 down inside the first minute,” recalled McMahon.

“They’ve got some good players and their capable of beating sides. On their day they’re a side that we need to be careful about.

“We’ve got a full squad, we’ll go into the game the best we can, looking for the result. We’re confident but we’re not taking anyone lightly. It should be a good game.”

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

Thamesmead Town v Romford

Ryman League Division One North

Tuesday 2nd February 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ