Central and Heyside's Routes to the Manchester FA Challenge Cup Semi-Final

Images From: Manchester Central Flikr, Credits: Rafaella Macintosh.

Manchester Central travel to face Heyside FC in the Manchester FA Challenge Cup Semi-final on Saturday. But, what have the two side's cup runs looked like so far?

Central have had a thrilling route to the semi-final, complete with heart-in-mouth moments and penalty shoot-outs. Tomkinson's men battled their way past Avro Reserves in the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win on the first of October, before overcoming Heywood St James on penalties three weeks later, earning Manchester's third side a semi-final place.

The first goal of the Round of 16 fixture was scored by Fuad Kasali, who capitalised off a long ball by Noupoue. The speedy striker was able to beat the towering Avro centre-back to the bobbling ball, allowing him to slot his chance through the number 3's legs and past a flailing goalkeeper, finding the bottom left corner in the 8th minute.

Central doubled their lead against Avro in the 26th minute. Kasali neatly controlled a Whiting goal kick before he nudged the ball to Costa, who wonderfully dinked the ball over the keeper from around 30-yards out. However, it would be a nervy ending for Tomkinson's side, conceding in the 74th minute at the hands of Maysan Benarbia.

On the 22nd of October, Central faced Manchester Football League Premier Division side, Heywood St James, in the Challenge Cup Quarter-Final. Against all odds, Tomkinson's men managed to hold the visitors to a 2-2 draw come the final whistle, thanks to goals from Fuad Kasali and Ruben Abreu, before securing their progression with an exillerating 4-3 win on penalties.

Heywood took the lead at the half-hour mark, despite the flow of the game having been fairly even between the two sides. However, this only spurred Central on, with Kasali converted a deep, curling cross from Abreu in the 45th minute.

Central emerged from the break with much the same attitude, with Abreu scoring just six minutes into the second half after capitalising on a visionary through ball from Odell. Tomkinson's men struggled to hang on to their lead, eventually letting it slip in the 74th minute as Heywood equalised from a well-worked corner routine. Thankfully, it was Central who emerged victorious from the spot-kicks.

Saturday's opponents, Heyside FC, romped past Maine Road Reserves and into the Quarter-Final of the Challenge Cup, where they edged out a 3-2 victory over Stretford Paddock FC.

Entering half-time with a 3-0 lead, Heyside were unable to keep a clean sheet as they battered Maine Road Reserves 5-2 at the full-time whistle. However, with all five goals from different individuals, this weekend's opposition showed their attacking prowess in the Round of 16.

Upon their arrival in the Quarter-Final, Heyside managed a 3-2 win over Stretford Paddock FC. This win saw James Horan, who was one of the scorers against Maine Road, take his Challenge Cup tally to three goals in two games, with Graham Scaife scoring the other name on the scoresheet.