Thamesmead confident of causing upset - Brickies without top scorer - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Keith McMahon is confident his Thamesmead Town side can cause an upset by knocking Sittingbourne out of the FA Cup on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

McMahon, whose side defeated Reading Town 4-3 on their travels in the extra preliminary round two weeks ago, are unbeaten so far.

Two wins in the Kent League have put the much-fancied Bayliss Avenue side in the top four, after thumping Sporting Bengal United 10-3 in their last game.

But even the Dog & Duck third team could beat the east Londoners, who simply aren’t good enough to compete in Kent League football.

Speaking in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with www.kentishfootball.co.uk , McMahon is looking forward to their trip to Bourne Park on Saturday.

“We’ve played three, won three and scored 16 goals,” he said. “We did play them pre-season but I know it doesn’t make any difference. They’ve had a good start but I think if we play well, we’ll give them a really good game.

“Obviously it’s going to be tricky for them as they’re expected to win and start the game as favourites.

“They’re a good side, but if we have any ambition to get promoted like the Cray’s and Maidstone’s, we are capable of getting a result.

“I don’t think there’s a huge amount between the two sides, just experience and they’re at home, which is a big advantage.

“But to be fair, we’re going there for a result - we’ve got nothing to lose.”

But taking the Brickies back to Bayliss Avenue isn’t on McMahon’s mind - he wants to win.

“It’s a break from league action, a game we’re not expected to win but the FA Cup are good days out for the lads, a bit of revenue for the club but we’re not looking for a draw and we’ll give it our best,” he said.

“I’m pretty sure Sittingbourne are confident as well. But it’s an FA Cup game and I’m sure we will be up for it.”

McMahon will have a full strength squad to choose from after former Metropolitan Police midfielder Robbie Tarrant (away) and Scott Saunders (honeymoon) missed their stroll in the park on Saturday.

Substitute Emmanuel Danso, 16, became the youngest ever player to score for Thamesmead Town’s first team when he netted the tenth goal at Bayliss Avenue on Saturday.

“We’ve had a great start, you can’t ask for anymore,” added McMahon. “Confidence is good in the camp, we’re playing some good stuff, we got the ball down and we’ve looked quite good.

“If we give a good account of ourselves at Sittingbourne, I’ll be pleased.

“If we play well we’ve got a good chance but you just hope your team will perform to their best.

“They’re a league above us, they have all the pressure as they’re expected to win.”

Sittingbourne manager Steve Lovell, meanwhile, hopes his side can avoid the banana skin - unlike last season.

Chessington & Hook United came away from Bourne Park at the same stage with a 4-2 victory in front of a crowd of just 138.

“They’ve got nothing to lose, they’re the underdogs and they’ll go out and enjoy it and if they get a result it will be an upset,” Lovell told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.  “There will be more pressure on us to go and win than them.”

Reflecting on their Ryman League Division One South campaign so far, which has warranted six points from their opening four games, the Welshman said: “Very good, although the two defeats that we’ve had have gone down to individual errors.

“In the four games we’ve made half a dozen mistakes and we’ve been punished by all of them.

“I think in a game you can make quite a number of mistakes and get away by half of them, especially in the defensive third, but every one we’ve made a real mistake has cost us a goal.”

But Lovell is not taking too much from their 4-2 win over Thamesmead Town in their pre-season friendly at Bayliss Avenue.

He explained: “We played them in a pre-season friendly, we beat them 4-2 up there, but again I didn’t have my full side out.

“I know they won 10-3 against Sporting Bengal, but all due respect, against a team bottom of their respective league. So we’re not going to take the game likely, it’s a game we have to prepare for properly.”

Lovell will be without his skipper, James Campbell (calf) for the third successive game and midfielder Lee Browning (ankle) is also missing.

But former Lordswood striker Andy Doerr, whose netted five goals for the Brickies so far this season, won’t be available as he’s on holiday.

“He’s going well, he’s scored a good number of goals but there’s still parts of his game I need to work on, but he will get better as the season goes on,” Lovell said.

But the manager has high hopes for his son, striker Mark, whose returned to the club following pre-season trials at Gravesend & Northfleet and Welling United.

“Mark’s come back to us, he’s getting himself match fit again and he will be a major boost to us for sure as the season goes on,” he said.

Visit Sittingbourne's website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

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