Thamesmead Town will be looking to
bounce back when they host Kentish Observer League leaders Beckenham Town
in the second round of the London Senior Cup on Tuesday night, writes
Stephen McCartney.
They missed out on a trip to Wisbech Town in the last 64 of the FA Vase,
when they were comfortably beaten 4-0 at home to Brook House on Saturday.
Brook House, who reached the last sixteen last season, never allowed
Thamesmead a chance to progress after taking a 16th minute lead.
But things could have been a lot different for Paul Blade's men had
striker Lewis Wood - a recent capture from Banstead Athletic - didn't fire
wide when well placed.
But the West Londoners showed their intentions when they created a chance
for their impressive striker Ryan Kirkland, only to be denied by Mead
goalkeeper Alan Hughes, making a smart low save.
Brook House took the lead after 16 minutes when
Kirkland burst down the right and his cross was met by Danny Rouco whose
header looped off Lee Loveridge and found the net.
Four minutes later the home side had a goal ruled out for offside when
good football between Dean Burns and Sam Thomas saw Wood slot the ball
home only to be denied by an offside flag.
And Thamesmead were dealt a blow when they went 2-0 down after 44 minutes
when man of the match, Jerome Periera was first to the ball and slid the
ball home beating Hughes at his near post.
Blade replaced Thomas with substitute Aaron Hayretting at half-time and
moved Kieron Collins into midfield, and this almost paid off when within a
minute of the restart, Williams' cross was met by Collins, whose header
struck the crossbar, but with the goalkeeper grounded, Mead skipper Pedro
Knight blasted the rebound over.
Thamesmead were made to rue this miss as the visitors' skipper, Chris
Fernie hit the goal of the match only minutes later. A corner was
only cleared to the edge of the box and Fernie had time and space to chip
the ball superbly into the far corner.
Brook House then began to play the free flowing football which had seen
them progress to the last sixteen last season. Only Hughes' safe
hands stopped them increasing their lead until the 79th minute, following
a seven-man move saw Periera release Kirkland who gave the goalkeeper no
chance with a cool finish.
After the match, Blade was full of admiration for his opponents praising
their commitment and style. "When we get it wrong it seems all
of us, not or two have a bad day," he said.
Terry Hill, Thamesmead's director of football added: "You would like
to see your players want to perform in the biggest trophy we play for but
today too many didn't, for one reason or another, seem to be able
too."
But assistant manager Keith McMahon is looking forward to bouncing back
against local rivals Beckenham Town in the London Senior Cup.
"We need to get over that result as quickly as possible and Tuesday
would be a great time to achieve that," he said.
Thamesmead Town v Beckenham Town
London Senior Cup Second Round
Tuesday 22nd November 2005
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead |
Kentish Football 
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd