Any team that wants to battle, we'll be up for it, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

THAMESMEAD TOWN manager Keith McMahon admits the club’s first relegation proved to be a bitter pill to swallow.

The Mead were relegated after one season in the Ryman Premier League last term, finishing third-from-bottom with 46 points from as many games.

But McMahon’s men put in a spirited display to inflict league leaders Waltham Abbey’s first defeat of the season on Tuesday night after striker Tyrus Gordon-Young scored his third goal of the season just before half-time before left-back Ashley Probets scored a second half free-kick.

Thamesmead Town are in the top five in the Ryman League Division One North table, unbeaten in four games, with 8 points, four behind new leaders Needham Market.

“As I’ve said before, last year was a very bitter pill for us to swallow, especially myself,” recalled McMahon.

“People had to leave me alone for a month after because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I didn’t know if I wanted to be here or carry on. We’ve not had failure but this football club enjoyed that (one season in the Ryman Premier).

“We held our own and I think what happened with Salisbury and Hereford was a disgrace and we should have got a reprieve.

“I know people say we had our chance but we stuck within the rules and teams like that have cheated.  That’s why Dartford (who were reprieved from relegation from the Conference) deserve to be where they are.

“We’d love to get back. It’s a hard league. Everyone’s saying there’s 10-15 sides that could get out.

“We’ve just got to set our sights for a play-off position and if we get there, brilliant. If we don’t, it won’t be for a lack of trying.

“It’s four games, there’s a long way to go. There’s a lot of twists. We’ve got one hell of a player to come back in Derek Duncan in the next two weeks and once we’ve got him back, we’re going to be a tough squad. 

“We’ve got a lot of competition for places and hopefully we’ll push on.

“Adem Ramadan, who I think is going to be the next biggest thing coming out of football around this area, so we’ve got a lot of bodies in those positions.”

The Mead travel to Essex to take on Brentwood Town on Saturday, before welcoming local rivals Cray Wanderers to Bayliss Avenue on Bank Holiday Monday – both games kicking off at 3:00pm.

“Two tough games.  Brentwood are quite fancied,” said McMahon.

“The pitch isn’t the best over there and I expect a tough game.

“Any team that wants to battle, we’ll be up for it and that’s what we’ve always been about, so we’ve just got to keep going and if we pick four points up, I’ll be over the moon.”

Cray Wanderers – who finished at the foot of the Ryman Premier League table last season – lost their opening three league games to plummet to the foot of the North division but Keith Bird’s side bounced back with a 4-2 win over Barkingside at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.

McMahon said: “They’ve signed some very big players. They’re a good side.  They might not had the best start to the season but things can happen, now it’s a local derby.”

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.com

Brentwood Town  v  Thamesmead Town
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 23^rd August 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Arena, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9NN