Let us defend our Trophy, pleads McMahon - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Tuesday 24th October 2006

Thamesmead Town manager Keith McMahon pleads with Kent County Football Association top brass that the winners of the Kent Senior Trophy should be given the chance to defend their trophy, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Kent League leaders welcome Erith & Belvedere to Bayliss Avenue tonight in the first round of the Kent Senior Trophy, having not lost a game in the competition in four years.

The reason for this long run is Thamesmead have entered the Kent Senior Cup but suffered first round exits at the hands of Ramsgate and Welling United – instead of being given the chance to defend their Trophy.

“We’re treating every competition seriously,” McMahon insisted in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Thamesmead have not lost in this cup for four years. We won it twice and when you win it you can’t defend it so the pressure is on me a little bit.”

But McMahon wants sides to be able to defend the silverware they win instead of being entered into the Kent Senior Cup where their interest in the competition ends at the first hurdle.

Last season’s winners VCD Athletic, who beat Tunbridge Wells on penalties at Welling United’s Park View Road in April, welcome Ryman Premier League side Margate to the Oakwood on Wednesday 8^th November.

“It’s an awful rule especially as the Kent Senior Cup is midweek,” said McMahon. “We drew Ramsgate and Welling in the Kent Senior Cup and VCD have drawn Margate so you should be able to defend the competition.

“You should be allowed in the Kent Senior Cup but you should be allowed the defend the trophy as well.”

Meanwhile, Thamesmead's youth side, managed by McMahon, missed out on a trip to Gillingham in the first round of the FA Youth Cup, losing 4-2 at Nationwide Conference outfit Stevenage Borough last night.

Thamesmead Town v Erith & Belvedere
Kent Senior Trophy First Round
Tuesday 24th October 2006
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ