We have to beleive that we can win play-offs, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon says his side must believe that they can go on and clinch promotion into the Ryman Premier League via play-off glory.The Mead finished in third-place in the Ryman League Division One North with 88 points from their 42 games and welcome fourth-placed Witham Town to Bayliss Avenue in the play-off semi-final on Tuesday night.

McMahon and his side have worked miracles to finish in their best ever position in the club’s history and promotion via two play-off games would be fantastic given their off-the-field problems and financial issues during the course of the season.

Witham Town, who finished nine points behind The Mead, defeated McMahon’s men twice in their two league games during the course of the season, but form goes out of the window in the tense minefield of the end of season play-offs.

Thamesmead Town have punched above their weight during the entire season and sealing promotion into the Ryman Premier League alongside champions Grays Athletic would just be the icing on the cake for everybody at the smashing little club.

The Mead also reached two semi-finals, but were defeated by Dulwich Hamlet and Charlton Athletic in the Ryman League Cup and Kent Senior Cup respectively.

“It’s all to play for and we hope we’ll do ourselves proud,” said McMahon.

“For a club like ours finishing in fifth-place would be unbelievable.  The play-offs was a goal for ours but realistic it was more of a dream if you think about other teams budgets and size of club’s and crowds.

“To finish third is a great achievement.”

McMahon wants to make home advantage count in arguably the club’s biggest ever game.

He said: “It’s a difficult place to come here.  We’ve got home advantage.  As I’ve said to the lads for us to be in the play-offs it is a bit of a dream for us and it is a great achievement, but now we’re there we do have to believe that we can actually win it!

“We’ve got a good chance as anyone and we’ve got to believe. The most important thing for us that we don’t think we’re in the play-offs, that’s it.  We have to actually sit there now we’re in it and we can win it!

“It’s two games.  I know for a fact that first game we’ll give it everything and if we give it everything and we lose, so be it, but if we give it everything I’m sure we can progress to the final.

“That’s all we’ve got to do. We’re 180 minutes, plus a bit more maybe away from being in a possible situation being in the Ryman Premier League.

“You’ve got to take your hat off for all the team, the management and more importantly all of the committee, to put up with what they’ve done all year, work hard, back me and do everything is a great achievement.

“It would be fitting for them to finish of the season in the Ryman Premier.”

The winners on Tuesday night will play the winner of the other semi-final, between Maldon & Tiptree and Aveley. 

The highest ranked side will have home advantage in the final, which should be played next Sunday, 5 May.

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/thamesmeadtown/

Thamesmead Town  v  Witham Town
Ryman League Division One North Play-Off Semi-Final
Tuesday 30^th April 2013
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ