We want to get to the final, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon says their Kent Senior Cup Semi-Final clash against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night will give local fans a chance to see what they’re missing.


The Mead face their Championship neighbours for the first time in a competitive fixture for a place in the Final at stake - against Margate, Ebbsfleet United or Tonbridge Angels.

Margate meet relegated Ebbsfleet United at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday night and the winners of that tie will host Tonbridge Angels on Thursday.

The visit from Ryman League Division One North champions Grays Athletic attracted Thamesmead’s largest crowd of the season when 121 flocked through the turnstiles at Bayliss Avenue – and the club are looking to double that for the visit of their neighbours.

“It’s a big week with Grays and Charlton and hopefully the locals will come and look,” said McMahon, whose side have cemented their place in the play-offs and go into their big night sitting third-place in the table.

“Hopefully we’ll equip ourselves. It’s our first competitive game against our closest club.

“I don’t think we get enough recognition and really they could do a little bit more to help us out and support us a little bit with games in the summer but we’ll just try to enjoy it.

“It sums up the season that we’ve had – semi-finals of the League Cup, semi-finals of the Kent Senior Cup and we’ll enjoy it.  I know we’ll want to win the game definitely.

“We want to get to the final.  Every game we play we want to win. We’ve got quite a strong squad so a couple will come in. Young Jay Porter is cup-tied (having played for Dartford) anyway so he won’t be playing.

“We want to win and keep the momentum up.  It’s all about the team to be honest. It’s not about the club.  A semi-final is for the players to get to a cup final for their own little personal achievement so they want to win.  We’re going to play whatever side Charlton bring down. We’re going to give them a game so we’re looking forward to it.”

The club have put posters up around the local area to ensure the game attracts a large following – but McMahon’s players and the hard-working committee deserve similar gates next season.

“We’ve always said here it’s difficult to get people through the gates at Thamesmead, just being in the area,” said McMahon.

“The club itself is magnificent, the facilities are coming along now as you can see. If we had 100 through the gate every week we’ll be financially viable but we don’t.

“Yesterday’s crowd was a bonus and if we get the same on Wednesday hopefully a few locals can see what a good side they’ve got locally and come and support us a little bit more because they’re missing out. If they do enjoy their football because we’re not a bad side and it’s not a bad club to be around.”

Thamesmead Town chairman Terry Hill used his programme notes to pay tribute to McMahon and his squad for securing a play-off place – which is a remarkable achievement given the club’s limited resources and on-going problems with moving into the new facilities at Bayliss Avenue.

“We have come a long way in a short space of time in this Ryman League,” said Mr Hill.

“Keith, his staff and players have done a fantastic job by reaching the play-offs. That was our aim at the start of the season and I am very pleased to say we have achieved it. It’s a massive achievement for a club our size.

“But before we can pat ourselves on the back we still have a lot of work to do.  We now want to take the extra step of winning the play-offs and join Grays next season in the Premier division.  It’s a big ask but we have a strong squad of players with a good attitude.

“Whatever happens we can look back on a very successful season.”

Speaking about the on-going saga at Bayliss Avenue, Mr Hill can finally see light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

He said: “I know the club house and facilities are not the best at the moment and I can only apologise for that.  But with the situation we find ourselves in with the new stadium being built we do not have much choice.

“The old clubhouse will eventually be replaced by a new car park.  Our reward will be to move into the new stadium.  The view is fantastic from both sides of the ground, so is the players’ lounge and board room. 

“It will be a dream for spectators to have a drink in a nice bar and look across the 3G pitch.  The 3G artificial surface, which the players are already using for training, is unbelievable.”

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/thamesmeadtown/

Thamesmead Town  v  Charlton Athletic
Kent Senior Cup (Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com) Semi-Final
Tuesday 23^rd April 2013
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ