We need a big FA Trophy pay-day, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon hailed his side’s win away to leaders Grays Athletic as a great performance, writes Stephen McCartney.


Goals from Theo Fairweather-Johnson and a late penalty from  Ashley Probets secured a 2-1 win over the Ryman League Division One North leaders as Thamesmead inflicted the Essex sides’ second league defeat of the season.

“It was a great, great performance and a great three points for us,” said McMahon, who had skipper Lew Tozer, midfielder Dean Standen and striker Danny Penny ruled out.

“It was a bit of a hectic finish so it was a great weekend for us.

“Nobody did give us a chance, despite being unbeaten for so long in the league and kept so many clean sheets.

“We’ve got a great team spirit at the moment.  Everyone’s working so hard.  We’ve got strength in depth.”

McMahon handed defender Corey Walters-Wright his league debut and he was impressed with the seventeen-year-old gem.

“He came in for Lew Tozer at the back and he was absolutely outstanding and he gave us a lift,” said McMahon.

“I give these youngsters a chance, that’s why we’re different to other clubs.  We’re very young.  If they’re good enough (they play).

“He came in for pre-season training, he had a little bit about him.  He went in the reserves, played the odd game in the Ryman Youth League.  Nothing fazes him.   I’ve done the same for Lea Dawson, Jack Hopkins, Bradley Killick, all kids’ that have come from the youth ranks.  If they’re good enough and you think they can cope then you have to give them a go.  I could have gone out in the week and brought in another centre half with experience.

“Corey has been training for us and he played against Tonbridge Angels in the Kent Senior Cup and was outstanding so we’ve gone with him.  This young lad is going to be one hell of a player.

“And to be fair to the youngster he gave the penalty away late in the game, which was a little bit unlucky for handball and 30 seconds after the penalty he made a really risky last-ditch tackle in the box where most people wouldn’t have done it.

“He shows there’s confidence in him.  He wasn’t fazed that’s why I played him because he is such a level headed youngster and he has that bit of calm about him.”

Thamesmead lie in seventh place in the Ryman League Division One North table with 21 points from 11 games and are now only a couple of points behind fifth-place.

“Especially as we’ve got a couple of games in hand on everyone else, if we win our games-in-hand we’ll go up to joint second,” said McMahon.

“Our performances this year, we’ve only lost two games in the last 13-14 games.  We’ve got this team spirit and I’m over the moon with the way we’re playing at the moment.  We’re working really hard.  Let’s hope it lasts.”

Thamesmead welcome Arlesey Town to Bayliss Avenue in the FA Carlsberg Vase Second Qualifying Round on Saturday.

Arlesey, who are fourth-from-bottom in the league above (the Evo-Stik Southern Premier League) travel to Salisbury City in the FA Cup with Budweiser First Round seven days’ later so McMahon hopes his opponents will take their foot of the pedal at Bayliss Avenue.

“I know they’re a big strong side and you only have to look at their result on Saturday when they beat Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup so I’m expecting a really tough game,” warned McMahon.

“We’re at home, which is a bonus and the way we’re playing at the moment we’re going to be difficult to beat.  I’ll be going in there with confidence.  We’re definitely going to be underdogs.  I wouldn’t be surprise if we battle out, get a 1-0 win.  That’s the way we’re playing at the moment.”

With £3,000 up for grabs in prize money for the winners and a potential clash against a Blue Square Bet (Conference) South club in the next round, McMahon wants to progress.

“That’s massive for a club like us, we need the money,” said McMahon.

“We’ve done well in the Cups this year.  Every little penny helps a club like ours especially at the moment.  The money will be a godsend.

“Hopefully we can build on Saturday’s performance and carry on with this winning run and see if we can get a result.

“We’re playing Arlesey, which is going to be tough but to get through and play a club like Dartford with a big crowd or something similar to them is what you’re looking for, a big pay day.

“We’ll worry about Saturday before we look at that – I know it’s an old cliché but we’ll take one game at a time.

“We’ve got a bit of a rest and we’ll look to the Trophy game as an unpressurised game, a bit like Saturday to be fair.  No one expected us to win and we’ll come out and see if we can win.

“With the FA Cup the week after they may have one eye on the FA Cup more than the Trophy.

“The FA Cup is going to be massive to them, they’ve got a great draw and they could be thinking they can win this and get an even bigger team in the second round.  The prize money is so much bigger in the FA Cup than the FA Trophy. Let’s hope he (Arlesey manager Zema Abbey) sends his reserves’ up!”

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

Thamesmead Town  v  Arlesey Town
FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 5^th November 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ