FA Cup run would sort the club out financailly all year, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

The Mead have won three and drawn three of their opening six games and stand in fifth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table.

“It’s been a really good start for us to be honest,” said McMahon.

“Three draws and three wins and really one or two more if I’m honest. We should have got more wins.

“It’s been solid. We’ve won all of our home games and the performances have been getting better and better as we’re going along as well and the squad is getting stronger so it’s a good start for us.”

Thamesmead Town claimed the local bragging rights following their 2-0 win over Cray Wanderers at Bayliss Avenue last Monday.

The local derby attracted the Mead’s highest crowd of the season – 50.

McMahon was full of praise for striker Tyrus Gordon-Young, who has now scored four goals so far this season.

“We played really well Monday,” said McMahon.

“The score flattered them a little bit, especially first half.  We had some really great chances.”

Cray Wanderers slumped to the foot of the table after losing five of their first six league games.

But McMahon feels Keith Bird’s side should be doing better.

He said: “They’re a good side, they’ve just not gelled together yet.  Going forward they’ve got Shaun Welford, Ian Daly and Ishmael Welsh and Dan Stubbs. They’ve got some good, good players in their side.

“With Nick Humphrey just coming in there now, the ex-Canvey centre half, I’m amazed where they are in the league!

“But we played exceptionally well. We battled and battled and we were too powerful going forward and wore them down in the end, very similar to the Waltham Abbey game.

“We dominated this one a little bit more. It’s a good win for us in tough conditions. It rained all day and wasn’t the nicest.

“It was a local derby, it’s always close. They’re a good side. They won’t stay there, not with those players. It’s impossible.”

Praising Gordon-Young, the Mead manager added: “His goal on Monday was up there for goal-of-the-season!  He just hit it from an acute angle from about 25-yards and it’s just flown into the top corner.

“Long may it continue! He just needs a bit of a good run. He’s always had the attributes – he just needs the belief.

“Towards the end of last year he had a good run of form with nine goals in 11 games. If we can keep him fit, which is difficult, he’ll be up there.”

McMahon takes his side to play South Park in The FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday.

The newly-promoted Reigate-based side are sitting in ninth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table with three wins and a draw from their six league outings.

McMahon has done his homework on The Sparks.

“I’ve spoken to people who have said they’re a good side,” he said.

“I’m expecting a tough, close game. The draw could have been more nicer to us a bit, but away from home any team’s difficult to beat in the Ryman League.

“I think they’ll be a little bit wary of us after coming down from the Ryman Premier and started well, unbeaten, but they’ve got home advantage so they’ll be confident with that.

“They’ve got a side that’s been together for a long time so they know each other so I’m sure they’ll have their own confidence but we’re going into the game with no pressure. It’s not a league game.”

The winners of the 160 Preliminary Round ties will each scoop £1,925 in prize money this weekend.

And with 50 being the club’s largest gate of the season, McMahon is eager to enjoy a lengthy run in the competition.

“It’s massive to us as well.  You don’t set the budget for FA Cup and FA Trophy money but it helps massively,” said McMahon.

“If you get a good run it helps with coaches or something like that.

“It’s something that the players can give the club back instead of all players taking from the clubs.

“It’s nice for the players to give something back and that’s something we’ll be looking to do on Saturday.

“We were unlucky with the draws last year. We pulled Met Police in last year. We’ve not had the nicest draws in the last couple of years. 

“It’s great to get in a few rounds and get a few nice crowds in.  The club just need one bumper cup run which would sort the club out financially all year. That’s how much we could do with it.”

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

South Park  v  Thamesmead Town
The FA Cup Preliminary Round
Saturday 30^th August 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Whitehall Lane, South Park, Reigate, Surrey RH2 8LG