We're trying to get as many points as possible, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon blamed their heavy home defeat to Grays Athletic on individual errors.



The Mead suffered a 5-1 defeat to the Essex side at the weekend, a result that leaves them in 12^th place in the Ryman League Division One North table with 39 points from 28 games.

“We went into the game full of confidence, but four individual mistakes cost us,” said McMahon.

“The scoreline looks like we got battered but we didn’t.  It’s just individual mistakes and there’s not much you can do about that!

“It wasn’t a battering as it seems.  After half-an-hour it was 0-0 and we were on top.   We were on the attack and a slip and we’re allowed them to go through and take the lead.

“The first four goals were individual mistakes, all just big.”

McMahon revealed he will contact Dagenham & Redbridge to ask if they wish to pursue their interest in goalkeeper Sam Mott, 23, who spent a week on trial with the Essex club in early January.

“We need to talk to Dagenham and I’m trying to talk to them this week,” said McMahon.

“He got injured in the first minute (on Saturday) and limped through the game and carried on.

“I know they’re very keen on him.  We have to sort it out.  He was there for a week and they asked him to come back for another week, which he couldn’t do because of his work commitments.  They said they’ll keep an eye (on him).

“I’m going to make a phone call this week and see where we stand.”

When asked about the transfer fee, McMahon said: “Who knows? We spoke briefly about certain things and there will be a package as he’s on contract.  We’ll want what’s best if Sam did go and what’s best for the club all round.

“Until it’s decided he is going to move on we won’t know so we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

League leaders Leiston arrive at Bayliss Avenue on Tuesday night just two points clear of Enfield Town.

McMahon said: “We went up there three weeks’ ago and got a draw with a depleted squad and I’ve signed a few bodies in the last week or so.”

McMahon has brought in two strikers, Jack Pallen, on a month’s loan from Conference South neighbours Dartford and former Tonbridge Angels and Chatham Town striker Alwayne Jones.

“They’ve both done well on Saturday on their debuts,” revealed McMahon.

“Jack needs games.  He’s just an out and out goalscorer.  He had a couple of chances that he made himself, which the keeper saved.

“They’ve both settled in quite well.  We’ve got Jack for an initial one month period and we’ve got seven or eight games in that period so it’s only going to do him and us good and he looks like a promising player in the future for Dartford.

“Alwayne’s a very good player, very strong and quick as well.  They both caused Grays problems on Saturday when we were going forward.  It was the other end, I wouldn’t say defensively as my central defenders were excellent.

“With both of them up front and with what else we’ve got with (Theo Fairweather-Johnson), Joseph Afusi and David Noel and maybe one more as well, we’ve got the firepower, it’s just putting it all together.”

Thamesmead Town travel to 13^th placed Waltham Abbey next Saturday and McMahon said: “It’s not the best place in the world to be fair.  The pitch is awful, the changing rooms aren’t particularly nice.

“They’re a decent side.  We drew them 4-4 at home and we were 3-0 up. They’ve got a couple of midfielders who score a lot of goals so I’m expecting a tough game.

“With us it’s all about work-rate. We have to go there and work hard and get a result.

“It’s a difficult place to go to.  Football has a funny way where seven days’ is a short period of time and I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t get a result against Leiston and get a result at Waltham Abbey at the weekend.  That’s what normally happens sometimes and we have to make sure we bounce back, that’s my job.

“The lads’ were very disappointed in themselves.  We sat them down and said we threw the game away individually.  They know that and we’ll bounce back and hopefully we put a performance in.”

Reflecting on their mid-table league placing, McMahon said: “It’s been ok.  Ups and downs.  We’ve had some good cup runs.  We’ve beaten all the top sides, we’ve got Needham Market coming up, the only one we haven’t beaten.

“We’re competitive.  With the size of our budget and the league that we’re in, we’ve done really well so far this year so it’s trying to get as many points as possible, put a good run together and see where we finish.”

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

Thamesmead Town  v   Leiston
Ryman League Division One North
Tuesday 21^st February 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ