McMahon working on Lover deal

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon will sit down with Ross Lover to see if a deal can be struck, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Cray Wanderers and Welling United talented midfielder played in a recent reserve team match for Mead against Erith & Belvedere.

“I don’t want to go too much into it,” McMahon told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight. “Ross signed and played for the reserves last week against Erith & Belvedere, but due to work commitments, he can’t commit to anything.

“It was just a game to get his match fitness ticking over. He’s working away, I don’t know (his job). I spoke to him today, we’re going to sit down and have a chat.

“He did play for the reserves, so don’t look too much into that game.”

McMahon revealed he will make changes to his side for Wednesday night’s London Senior Cup first round tie against Hanwell Town.

But twelve games into their first ever Ryman League Division One North campaign, McMahon is pleased with the standard - but wants his side to start picking up points.

They are currently sitting in the bottom six - one place above fellow Kent side Chatham Town - with three wins and two draws under their belts.

“We started ok although we lost games in the last minute and then we picked up and got three wins out of four,” reflected a very disappointed McMahon.

“We have missed key players, confidence is low and I think we didn’t expect us to be up there at the beginning, with the (small) wage bill.

“The players we’ve got here, there is more to come from us.”

One positive, however, is that crowds at Bayliss Avenue are up 20.8 % on last season, although McMahon would like Saturday’s home clash against Maldon Town to break the three-figure mark for the first time.

“We’d like to get the 100-mark every game,” said McMahon, whose club average gates of 70 to Bayliss Avenue this season. “The more people come in the better, a few more people to watch would be nice.”

McMahon tells local football followers that Ryman One North football is definitely worth watching.

“The standard of football is excellent,” he said. “You only have to look at the FA Cup and FA Trophy results, the north has won more than they’ve lost than the south.

“Some of the top sides, Concord, Brentwood and East Thurrock are good sides. Their wage bills show they’re very professional.

“We’re enjoying it, the travelling is better now than it was in the Kent League.

“We just need a few wins for confidence. If you play poor in this league, you get beat. But if you play well, you get a result. Anyone can beat anyone and that’s what I’ve found.

“It’s very well organised. It’s been frustrating but it’s been a learning curve. As a club, on and off the pitch, we’ve conducted ourselves well. Our pitch is definitely good as most.”

McMahon revealed striker, Lewis Wood, is cup-tied for Wednesday night’s visit of Hanwell Town.

Wood has played for Cray Wanderers, Beckenham Town, Croydon and Thamesmead Town already this season, but McMahon believes he is the man to pin the striker down for the remainder of the season.

He said: “I know Lewis anyway, he played well Saturday and scored his goal. We had him before but luck wasn’t on his side. He scored in his first game, hopefully he’ll improve from there.

“He’s scored goals at most levels he’s played at. He gives us that other option.”

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

Thamesmead Town v Hanwell Town
London Senior Cup First Round
Wednesday 22^nd October 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ