Teenagers give McMahon more options - EXCLUSIVE

Thamesmead Town face another examination from Ryman League opposition when Ashford Town visit Bayliss Avenue on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent League side have already faced Tonbridge Angels (0-1) and Cray Wanderers (2-3), but despite losing both matches, Mead manager Keith McMahon is pleased with the way his pre-season preparations are going.

McMahon, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following their 5-0 win over British Energy Kent County League premier division side Rusthall tonight, felt his side deserved more against Ian Jenkins' side on Tuesday night.

“We played really well, I was very happy Tuesday,” he said. “We passed the ball around very well - but result’s in pre-season don’t matter.

“But I thought we definitely deserved to win the game, but we made a couple of defensive mistakes.”

He added: “(We know) what level we need this year to get promoted. We can pit our wits against most of the sides above us.”

McMahon was pleased that Cray Wanderers provided good opposition.

“Cray we’re fine,” he said. “Cray are their normal side, passed the ball around well.

And he added: “We dictated possession, created more of the chances, and I thought, being biased, we looked the better side.”

McMahon cast his eyes over some of his talented youngsters, that featured in their two most recent games.

Rusthall were beaten 5-0 tonight, which followed last night’s whopping 8-3 demolition over Crockenhill, a side who play in the same league as the Rustics.

Right-back, Danny Chapman, 17, has, however, impressed McMahon, who said: “He’s looking a heck of a player.

“I pulled in seventeen-year-old Lawrence Collins from Bromley’s youth team (and) he’s impressed me and doing well.

“I’ve got a young Polish trialist, 17, he’s been absolutely superb. He scored tonight, on his debut.”

McMahon was delighted that these players impressed during their run-out against the Crocks.

He said: “My reserves played Crockenhill and I fielded seven youth team players and out of the eight goals scored, seven were from the youth team players - they’re a good side.

“We put out a mixture tonight, some first team players, reserves and youth team.

“Rusthall, to their credit, were a good side, but the quality showed through - we created a hat-full of chances.”

Resurgent Ryman League Division One South club Ashford Town, under the new management team of Clive Walker and his assistant Steve Nolan, who were at Dover Athletic together, travel to Bayliss Avenue for their first pre-season outing on Saturday.

“It will be a tough game,” predicted McMahon. “They’ve made a lot of signings.”

But he believes his Kent Leaguers can match their higher league opponents.

“I’m expecting the same as there was against Tonbridge and Cray,” said McMahon. “If we’ve got any ambitions of getting promoted, which we have, we have to see what level we have to go up to.

McMahon, whose retained all of last season’s squad, is pleased that the kids are knocking on his door.

He said: “That’s why I haven’t had to go out and look for players (but) I might be looking to bring on one or two experienced players.

“I did say I would give them a chance. The youngsters are a breath of fresh air, and they can hold their own - it looks very good for the football club.”

Visit club websites:

www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk

www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Thamesmead Town v Ashford Town
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 21^st July 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead