My side can handle the pressure, insists double-chasing McMahon - EXCLUSIVE

THAMESMEAD TOWN will be a Ryman League club next season - if they beat Faversham Town at Bayliss Avenue tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

FIRST ONE OFF TWO?:  Thamesmead's Dean Kearley and James Brown both lifted the Kent Senior Trophy last Sunday.
Photograph courtesy of www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

The Mead lifted the Kent Senior Trophy for the third time in six years when they defeated nine-man Beckenham Town at Park View Road last Sunday.

First half goals from Pedro Knight and Junior Baker ensured Keith McMahon’s men are on course for a Kent League and Cup double.

They need just three more points from their last two games to clinch promotion into the Ryman League, following in the footsteps of Cray Wanderers, Ramsgate, Maidstone United and Whitstable Town, who have all gone up in the past four seasons.

Thamesmead goalkeeper, Chris Conneally, believes Thamesmead will bag the win that they need to clinch promotion.



CLEAN SHEET:  Thamesmead goalkeeper Chris Conneally, will be aiming to keep a clean sheet against Faversham Town tomorrow.
Photograph courtesy of www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

The 24-year-old went to Ryman League Division One South outfit Brentwood Town on trial in pre-season before staying in the Kent League.

Speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk immediately after their Cup Final win at Welling United, Conneally said: “One down, one to go. We’ve put ourselves in a great position for the league.”

Insisting that tomorrow’s Bayliss Avenue clash is a “must-win,” Conneally said: “We’re in the driving seat and as long as we focus on what we’re doing it doesn’t matter what anyone does so three points will be great.

“We’ve put ourselves in a great position for the double.”

Conneally paid tribute to club officials to ensure that their ground at Bayliss Avenue is now up to Ryman League standard - spending £20,000 in the process - before the £4m re-development to turn the ground into a “mini-Dartford”.

“A special credit must go to the board and Keith the manager and everything they’ve done to get the ground up to scratch,” said Conneally.

“We’re having re-development work done next year but the club had to do a lot of work just to get the ground ready for the Ryman League next year.

“Unfortunately the club has spent a lot of money and it will be ripped down at the start of next year when we actually start the construction work but they deserve it and the lads on the pitch are doing their part so it’s a great club performance really.”

Manager McMahon, meanwhile, insists his side can handle the pressure in the last seven days of the season to get the win that they need to claim the title.

“People have said we’ve been under pressure for the last twelve weeks but we’ve won 12 games out of 12 in the league so I think we’re coping with pressure,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“There will be no pressure going into the Faversham game. There could be some nerves or some stiffness but I think we expect that.

“We’ve got players with the experience and I’m looking forward but Faversham won’t be easy.

“We’ve played them three times this year and they’re a good side. They’ve got some good players and that will make it hard for us - they’re not going to turn up and roll over.

Mead’s last game of the season will be next Saturday’s trip to Greenwich Borough.

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

Visit Faversham Town's website:  www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Thamesmead Town v Faversham Town
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 19^th April 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ