Kentish Football 
We need some points on the board, says Thamesmead boss Keith McMahon
Friday 21st January 2011
THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon says he expects an intimidating atmosphere over in Essex against Grays Athletic tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.
Despite camping themselves in the Wingate & Finchley half for the last 25 minutes on Tuesday night, the Mead lost 1-0 in north London, courtesy of a stunning fourteenth minute strike from Gary Burrell.
The Mead deserved to come away with a point, but despite plenty of possession, they lacked the killer touch in front of goal and Wingate & Finchley climbed up to third place in the Ryman League Division One North table - 10 points clear of the Kent club, but McMahon’s men have three games in hand.
“We would have closed the gap (had we won) but we still have games in hand over them,” said McMahon, who’s side are in eighth place with 31 points from 20 games.
“Obviously the points have got to come off Leyton yet as well. Leyton have disbanded, I know it’s not official yet but that will happen as they haven’t played half their games.
“We drew against Leyton so we’re one of the sides that only dropped a point. Wingate have obviously played them, I think twice, and a couple of others so we’re going to climb a couple of points.
“We’re not snatching at straws but I’ll take anything good at the moment. We haven’t got a point in the New Year, we’ve only played two league games but we need to get some points on the board. It doesn’t matter how well we play, it don’t matter how we score some goals but we need to get some results and that’s starting away on Saturday at Grays.”
Looking ahead to their short trip to East Thurrock’s ground at Rookery Hill to face seventeenth placed Grays, McMahon said: “I’ve watched them twice, it’s difficult. They’re a good side on their day and they could beat anyone but we’ve got to how that we can go and compete. We’ve just done that in the second half at Wingate & Finchley. Anyone that were watching and thinking we’re not going to stay the distance, we’ll do really well.
“It’s going to be hard to go there, it will be a decent crowd there, a little bit intimidating I suppose but we’re doing well, it’s just that final third and if we can finish sides off we’ll go on a run.
“I’m not disappointed with the way we’re playing or the players I’ve got here. We just need to convert the possession and the chances.”
McMahon’s men travel to relegation threatened Ilford on Monday night, a ground with dim floodlighting and a running track around the pitch.
McMahon added: “We’ve got to grind out a win, 1-0 will do us at Ilford but we can grind out a result over there, we’ve got a good enough side.
“We’ve got to look at Saturday first, look to get three points and I think we’ll go over to Ilford and win.”
Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk
Grays Athletic v Thamesmead Town
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 22nd January 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Rookery Hill, Corringham, Essex SS17 9LB
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd