Catching up with Kaine

Prior to the Christmas break, Central were in a poor vein of form in the league. However, amongst that Kaine Martin was quietly adding more goals to his game from his midfield role.

Since Central returned, they have picked up six points from two games in the league and Martin has continued that goal-scoring form, scoring two last week in the 3-2 win against Hindley Juniors, making it five goals in his previous five appearances. Therefore, it felt like the perfect time to sit down and have a chat about his form, the remainder of the season and this weekend's fixture.

But, first, we wanted to know how happy Kaine was with Central's return from the break. The two wins against Altrincham Hale and Hindley Juniors all of a sudden make promotion look like a possibility again if the team can perform at that level every week.

"Across the two games, I think I've been very happy with the team's performances, obviously Altrincham Hale was 2-0, I think we played well, we were solid, compact, got the clean sheet, got the win."

"Even in the second game against Hindley the other week, we let the 2-0 lead slip and I think it was more that the scoreline didn't reflect the game because I still think we played very well on the whole and we managed to get the job done, so two wins from two, six points you can't really complain."

Furthermore, we wanted to find out what Kaine felt was necessary in the second half of the season to ensure it does not end up mirroring the first half of the season.

Back in September, the season was only six games young, however, Central were sitting top of Division One after taking an impressive five wins from their opening six. But, then failed to win another league fixture until after the much-needed Christmas break.

"We just need to try and be as consistent as we can up and down the pitch, pride in the clean sheets and make sure we're lethal in front of goal, if we do that I think the quality in the squad is there to beat anybody."

"So just make sure we get some consistency in our performances because I think even before Christmas in our poor run of form we were losing games where I still think we deserved better. So if we just get that little turn of fortune and clinical edge we'll get the results and we'll be fine."

Central currently sit 5 points off the promotion spots with a game in hand on the side currently in third. Therefore, it only felt right to ask Kaine if promotion is back to being a thought for the players after the second half of the season heroics last season which saw Central gain promotion against the odds.

"I know I am certainly am looking at the third spot definitely, we've got the game in hand, I think promotion is still on. It's still a long way it's a whole second half of the season but I think if we just take it game by game and stick to our jobs it's more than on."

"We've took points off a lot of teams in the top half, and obviously, anyone can beat anyone in this league but I think if we stick to our job and stick to what we know then we've got more than enough quality in this team to beat anybody so I'm thinking promotion is still on."

Next up, was all about the man in form himself. We wanted to know if he puts anything down to his recent run of goal-scoring form, where the Central midfielder seems to be making a habit of getting into the box in the right place at the right time, almost like Centrals Bryan Robson.

"I think my goals have just come from getting in there more, they've all been similar goals, first-time finishes, getting in at the right place at the right time, and trying to anticipate and read where the balls coming, you can gamble more when there's that extra mad in midfield."

"Making them late runs into the box you see it all through legendary midfielders like Lampard, so I think when it's there and I make a run at the right time the ball has been coming and I've been reaping the rewards by finding the back of the net."

Last but not least, this Saturday's fixture. A huge game against East Manchester who are fighting their own battles at the other end of the table. East Manchester already beating Central 3-2 win at the Seashell Trust just before the Christmas break. Therefore, we wanted to know what Kaine is expecting from this weekend's fixture and what is needed to make it nine points from nine since the return.

"It's a big game this weekend, East Manchester are a team who beat us earlier this season so we know what threat they can pose. I feel like we've definitely got enough quality to beat them we just need to stick to what we know and the quality should come through to take all three points.

"We were poor in the first game, switching off at key times and making silly errors cost us that game. It summed up our run at the time where we didn't win in the league for five league matches which span between September and December."

With just a day to go until Central are back on the pitch aiming to climb back up the league table, let's hope that Central's and Martin's form can continue until April, come on Central.