THE BIG KICK OFF: We're on the right track to win title, insists McMahon - EXCLUSIVE

Keith McMahon is determined to clinch Thamesmead Town’s first ever Kent League title in his second season in charge, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Mead welcome Croydon in a mouth-watering opening day showdown at Bayliss Avenue on Saturday - and McMahon cannot wait!

“I don’t think it’s going to be a title decider, but two strong sides that have ambitions of winning the league,” McMahon said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It should be a good game, I’m looking forward to it. We’re at home so it gives us a big advantage.”

McMahon has this week signed former Marine, Welling United and Erith Town goalkeeper, Chris Conneally, whose been training at Dartford during the summer, from rivals VCD Athletic, and is also delighted to announce that his star-striker, Rikki Cable is staying put, despite interest and a couple of pre-season outings for Dartford.

“Rikki’s playing, he’s decided to stay at the club, committed to the club for a year,” said McMahon.

“He’s on contract, he’s now not looking to go anywhere and looking to help us win the league.

“He’s been brilliant in pre-season, scored another two absolute great goals against Whitstable last Saturday and tore them to ribbons to be fair - he will be a big player to us.

McMahon has, however, set his sights on just one goal this season - winning the title.

“I’ve wrote in my programme notes that it’s my second year in charge and only winning it is good enough,” he said.

“My own personal target is to win the league this year.  We’re geared up, I’ve build a squad that’s strong enough to win it.

“It won’t be plain sailing but whoever finishes above us will win it.

“It’s not being big-headed, but confident. There’s a number of managers all sitting there at the beginning of the season, thinking the same thing.

“If you’re not confident at this time of the year, you shouldn’t be doing the job.”

But McMahon admitted whoever loses on Saturday will not be out of the title race, as there’s still a long way to go.

“Saturday is going to be tight, it’s the first game of the season (and) there will be a few nerves from both sets (of players),” he said.

“They won’t fancy coming here first game of the season. We’ve got a great record at home, as everyone knows.

“But I think they will be looking for a little bit of revenge as we beat them 5-0 here last year - I expect it to be close, but I expect us to beat them.

“To take a three point lead against one of your main rivals, is a massive step. It’s a long way to go, and it won’t be won or lost on the first game.”

Croydon’s manager/chairman, Dickson Gill, meanwhile has played down his side’s chances of winning the Kent League title this season, insisting his side will come good during the course of the campaign, just like last season.

Gill has signed four players from Redhill, the Sussex County League side that’s now managed by Tommy Sampson.

Bobby George (striker), Marcel Dennis (winger), Nick Brown (central defender) and Michael Azzapardi (winger), have all signed for their home-town club from the Kiln Brow outfit.

And midfielder, Ahmet Akdag, has become the Tram’s fifth summer signing, arriving from their Ryman League neighbours, Croydon Athletic.

But former Manchester United and Lewes striker, Marc Whiteman, has been released.

“I didn’t renew his contract as he didn’t score enough goals,” Gill explained EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We had the best defence in the league, but we didn’t score enough goals.”

George, however, misses their opening day trip to Thamesmead Town, as he serves a three-match ban, and another striker, Lee Kirby, is on holiday, and Sam Warner rests his back injury.

“Marcel Dennis, a winger, come forward, gives us a bit more power,” said Gill. “We lost the American boy, so that left a vacancy for Marcel and Michael Azzapardi.

“Michael is a very good winger, experienced, steady. I’m looking for a lot of good quality and he’s a good person. I’m more than happy to have him on board.”

Brown’s arrival will strengthen up their back-line. “I needed another centre half as we had the best defence in the league but we lacked a bit of height,” explained Gill.

And Gill is delighted that Akdag has returned to the Arena.

“He played for me at Croydon before,” he said. “He had time out for a while, went to Croydon Athletic, didn’t settle down there.

“He phoned me and I took him on. He played well against Raynes Park Vale, a 4-1 win, and he played a full game against Redhill - a 2-0 win - and I was really impressed with him.”

But Gill is delighted with his five summer signings, adding: “The reason I signed them, they were only helping the last manager out at Redhill.

“They’re Croydon based and when I asked them (to sign) they all jumped at the chance.”

But Gill played down his side’s chances of being one of the big guns in Kent League football this season.

“I wouldn’t think we were title contenders,” he admitted. “Thamesmead will be the title contenders as I’ve had them watched, but we can put a spanner in the works.

“We’re a good side, but we’re not ready for the title, nowhere near the title. I’m kidding ourselves if I was. We need a lot of strengthening if we’re to do it.

“I think we’ll be in the top six,” Gill predicted. “I think as a team we’re quite gelled but we’ve got one or two players no available and that’s why I don’t feel we’re going to start off very well.

“I would like to think we would, but I think we’re not going to be world beaters. I think we’ll strengthen as we go along, like last year.”

Gill, however, gave his thoughts on the sides that should be gunning for the title this season.

“Who do I think? Thamesmead. I think you have to include VCD, and I don’t know much about them, but the run they had at the end of last season, Erith & Belvedere will have a lot of say in it - and Greenwich Borough.

“I don’t know much about Hythe, they were a very good side, and Deal were the two dark horses in my eyes.”

Gill didn’t want to disclose the identities of his two transfer targets on the eve of the big kick-off.

Visit club websites:

www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk

www.croydon-fc.co.uk


www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game on Saturday.