We've got a great chance of progressing, says Thamesmead boss Keith McMahon

Monday 01st November 2010

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon says he wants his side to finish off the job and cause an upset against Folkestone Invicta in their FA Carlsberg Trophy replay at Bayliss Avenue on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The two Kent sides played out a dull goal-less draw at Cheriton Road on Saturday, although both sides hit the woodwork, so it’s back to Bayliss Avenue to see which side will travel to Blue Square Bet South side Eastleigh in the third and final qualifying round on 20 November.

McMahon threw on nineteen-year-old striker Kia Bichard for Gabrielle Momodu after 55 minutes in Folkestone on Saturday and he almost won it for Thamesmead after hitting the post and having another effort saved by Jack Delo.

McMahon told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “He could’ve won it for us, he’s hit the post on one and he should’ve gone across the keeper when he’s gone one-on-one on the second and he’s hit it straight at Jack.

“Tuesday night, hopefully we’ll have a couple of our injuries back. Hopefully Raphael (Momodu) will be fit and that will bolster us up even more and we’ll have a good go at home on Tuesday.”

Bichard looks likely to start Tuesday night’s replay on the bench, as McMahon explains, “He gives us little freshness up front. Raphael Momodu, if fit, he’s got a great chance of starting. He’s been brilliant for us, he’s got a knock on the ankle on Wednesday, it’s very sore and hopefully we can give him some treatment.

“James Campbell is going to be the big one, he’s pulled his calf so we may struggle a little bit there (in central defence) but we’ve got cover so we just have to go with what we’ve got.

“But Neil Cugley’s been struggling with players all year, he’s not complaining so we won’t complain!”

Saturday’s draw stretched Thamesmead’s unbeaten run to ten games - seven of them coming during a hectic October.

“It’s some record, two draws and eight games,” added McMahon.

Despite Neil Cugley’s side being a Ryman Premier League club, albeit struggling inside the relegation zone, there was not much between the two sides at the weekend, and McMahon feels his high-flying Ryman League Division One North outfit have got a good chance of winning on home soil.

“I thought we could have beaten them there, otherwise I wouldn’t be a manager,” said McMahon.

“There wasn’t much between the two sides, you could see that and I don’t think they’ll be much on Tuesday.

“It’s going to be an open game. It’s to an end on Tuesday so they won’t come here to sit back and we’re definitely not going to sit back so we’ve got a good chance.

“The last couple of games we are starting to improve a little bit as well but if we put a great game on then we’ve got a great chance.”

McMahon paid tribute to his defensive players, including goalkeeper Sam Mott, for their impressive run of form.

Speaking about the former Ebbsfleet United and Ramsgate stopper he said: “He’s had the one when they hit the post in the first half but he hadn’t had much to do but crosses and that. He’s getting stronger and stronger as the games are going on.

“Sam’s a good goalkeeper but I think you’ve got to look at the people in front of him. Lewis Tozer, who has been playing with an injury all year, has been immense. Callum McGeehan, when he came on was great, Danny Moore, Ashley (Probets), hasn’t had his greatest game, which is maybe a plus for us because he ain’t going to play like that on Tuesday so we’ve defended well as a team.

“We need to as we’re not a team that scores five or six goals every game. We get two and we need to get a clean sheet for us to win games.”

McMahon added: “You’re main job is obviously not to lose, especially when you play a Premier side and we’ve done that so we’re happy I suppose.

“Tuesday night we finish the job - but it’s going to be tough!”

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

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

Thamesmead Town v Folkestone Invicta

FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round Replay

Tuesday 2nd November 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ