The FA Cup prize money is the major aspect at the moment, admits Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

Thursday 23rd August 2012
THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon says it is vitally important that his side win their FA Cup Preliminary Round tie away to Walton Casuals on Saturday.


McMahon revealed the club’s precarious financial position following his side’s impressive 3-1 home win over Romford in midweek and the £1,750 prize money to the winners will come in handy at Bayliss Avenue.

The Mead boss, who has been in charge since 2006, revealed today that he has not received any offers of help in the club hour of need.

He insisted that the club “need some help”, because of the delays in moving into the development at Bayliss Avenue, which is putting the club on the brink of going out of existence.

McMahon’s side lost their opening Ryman League Division One North game of the season 2-1 at newly-promoted Witham Town, but they bounced back against Romford , courtesy of two penalties from left-back Ashley Probets and impressive pint-sized winger, Enoch Adjei.

Walton Casuals, meanwhile, have lost their opening Ryman League Division One South games of the season to Hythe Town (1-3) and Chipstead (0-1) and prop up the foot of the table at this early stage of the season.

McMahon said: “Tough game.  Micky Sullivan was the Leatherhead manager and Merstham before and he’s going to pull some players in.

“It’s not a bad surface over there. I went over there last year. It’s quite wide so it will suit us.

“I’m expecting a tough game. We’re a bit unlucky we’ve pulled another Ryman League side in the FA Cup – last year we had exactly the same and we managed to get through.

“If we play like we did on Tuesday night, we’re a hard side to beat.  We’re a top eight or nine Ryman side last year.

“They’re not going to fancy us coming after a win.  They really won’t know too much about us.

“The FA Cup is always nice to play in and hopefully there’s prize money available to the club, which is the major aspect at the moment, especially at the moment!”

A crowd of 70 watched their win over Romford, and subject to FA Cup results, Thamesmead will face Brentwood Town at Bayliss Avenue on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).  If they draw, then they will welcome Walton Casuals for their replay on Tuesday night (7:45pm).

And in the club’s current plight, the club would welcome similar or better crowds against the much-fancied Essex outfit.”

McMahon said: “Difficult side Brentwood. They’re one of the favourites for promotion. We always have a tight, difficult game and we always seem to have to play them on Bank Holiday Monday so hopefully we can carry on the form we showed against Romford at home and push on and get some more points on the board is the most important thing and stay in the league.”

To read our interview with Keith McMahon, "The club is very close to going out of exsitence if people don't help us" click on this link: www.kentishfootball.co.uk/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8215&Itemid=38

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


Walton Casuals  v  Thamesmead Town
The FA Cup with Budweiser Preliminary Round
Saturday 25th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Waterside Stadium, Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2JP