Some of my players aren't up to this level, admits McMahon

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon says he is being priced out of the market, when it comes to trying to sign a striker on loan, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Mead go into today’s home game against Ilford on a run of not scoring in their last five games and McMahon has been busy this week to bring in fresh blood.

He handed central defender Paul Gross, who has signed from Kent League side Erith & Belvedere, his debut on Tuesday night, a sorry 4-0 defeat at Potters Bar Town.

Right-back, David Hall, who played for Ryman One South side Cray Wanderers last season, will make his debut in Tuesday night’s trip to Ramsgate in the Kent Senior Cup, as he is attending a wedding, and left-sided midfielder, Kevin George, who won the Kent League Cup for Erith Town last season, arrives from Tonbridge Angels, and makes his debut against Ilford.

But it’s finding that elusive goalscorer that has been the problem.

“We haven’t scored in five games and it’s starting to get to me personally as my sides have been freescoring,” McMahon told www.kentishfootball.co.uk this morning.

“I’ve been trying to sort it out, I’ve been sorting out centre forwards for the last five or six weeks.

“I’ve spoken to 40 or 50 people to get players on loan, it’s all gone down to money. I’ve been quoted £150-£350 for a centre forward but it’s out of our budget. I’m hoping to bring in something next week.”

McMahon admitted he’s missing Rikki Cable, who left the club earlier in the season to sign for Kent League side Tunbridge Wells, although the prolific striker has departed the Culverden Stadium outfit in the last couple of weeks.

“No disrespect to anyone else, I think I had the best centre forward in the Kent League and Rikki done ok (at this level),” said McMahon.

“Lewis Wood has scored 9 goals in 14 (games), but the had 9 in 9 at one point and it’s just dried up for us.

“We’ve created good opportunities in our last two games and we’re not burying sides and we are getting punished.

“I know I have to pay that money but if we haven’t got the budget we haven’t got the budget - we have to try and do our best.”

McMahon would settle for a goal-less draw or a lucky 1-0 win over an Ilford side that arrive at Bayliss Avenue today sitting two places below them in 19^th place.

McMahon has challenged his side to clinch the victory to avoid relegation back down to the Kent League after just one season in the Ryman One North.

“I’ve got to be honest, we’re going to set out for a 0-0,” said McMahon. “We’ve got to set out for a hardworking side and hopefully nick a goal with a set piece.

“Our target is not to lose and pick up points - we can’t get caught into a relegation battle.

“When you go on a run, we’ve had good runs before, it’s easy to get pulled in. The club, and myself, has done hard to get our Ryman League status.

“We had a good chat Tuesday night, the lads have had a fair crack of the whip - some aren’t up to Ryman League status.”

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

Thamesmead Town v Ilford
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 24^th January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ