You need a good home record and togetherness, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon says confidence is high going into the home game against runaway leaders Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday.



The Mead outclassed third-placed Heybridge Swifts by winning 4-1 at Bayliss Avenue in midweek and welcome the league leaders sitting in fourth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table.

”It will be a tough game,” said McMahon, whose side are thirteen points adrift of the Essex outfit.

”We played them only about six weeks ago and lost 1-0 to a penalty after ten minutes. We did cause them some problems.  They’re well organised, a solid outfit and it’s going to be a tough game.

”I said to you (before the Heybridge game) six points I’ll be over the moon, four would be great.

”We’ve got to hang on in there. Other teams are playing each other and we have to keep on going and hopefully pick some points up and if we play like we did on Tuesday night, we’ll be ok.”

Thamesmead go into the game having lost only two of their eleven home games in the league, which makes Bayliss Avenue a fortress.

They are currently seven games unbeaten and have won all of their league games since winning 3-2 at Chatham Town on Boxing Day.

”Our home form is excellent,” said McMahon, the Maldon game being their seventh successive home game.

”You need a good home record and togetherness and it’s a decent pitch.  As I’ve said before the conditions of the other parts aren’t great but every thing else is fine.

”We’re a tough side to beat. We’ve had a few tough games and we’ve got maximum points and we have to carry on with that run.”

McMahon admitted he is disappointed with Enoch Adjei’s decision to leave the club to re-join Blue Square Bet (Conference) South neighbours Welling United.
 
The 18-year-old has impressed during his time at Bayliss Avenue and has scored 7 goals in 21 appearances for the club.

”We’ve had a chat and he thinks he wants to go back to Welling and try and get in their squad,” said McMahon.

”I think he’s made a mistake if I’m honest. I think he should stay. He’s not looking to go anywhere else.  Me and Jamie (Day) spoke the other day. It’s not a closed door on him. He’s a lovely kid, he’s fitted in to the club brilliantly.

”He picked up an injury and lost his place.  It’s only four games. He played the other day, he started in the Cup and scored on Saturday so the door ain’t shut for him.

”Hopefully he’ll think about what we’ve got going for him here. He’s a young lad that’s only going to learn about what we’ve got going for him here.

”He’s not going to get many minutes at Welling, if any at all if I’m honest with you. That’s not being harsh on him.  Welling are on a great run themselves. Jamie’s doing a brilliant job and I said to him he shouldn’t go on loan anywhere else because he’s fitted in so well. 

”He’s a squad member, he’s in the squad all the time, he’s played a lot of games for us and hopefully he’ll have a little rethink and come back.

”He’s in the Academy with Jamie so he feels apart of it but sometimes youngsters get a little bit carried away and sometimes they need a little bit of a reality check and play at a decent level of football for a side for a long time instead of floating around different clubs.

”Listen, he’s a good player and in a few years time he could well be knocking on Jamie’s door and playing.  At the moment it’s a big jump, a massive gap for him.  I don’t think Jamie would take a gamble on him as well if I’m honest. 

”He’s got good experience here. He never caused me a problem. He’s a lovely kid, a great player. The door’s not shut.  He’s not going anywhere else and hopefully he’ll be back with us soon.”

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

Thamesmead Town  v  Maldon & Tiptree
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 2^nd February 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ