Central Face Promotion Rivals in Search for Four Consecutive Wins

Bolton Lads & Girls Club are Manchester Central’s next challenge in Division One of the Manchester Football League as they look to continue their winning run of form.

Central were rampant last weekend against East Manchester, smashing six past a side who had beaten them earlier in the season. It was an assured display from a side who keep growing as each week passes, and they will now look to the weekend where they face a team just two points ahead of them in the standings.

Goals from Kaine Martin, Daniel Dolling, Dennis Raposo, a double from Fuad Kasali and an own goal which opened the scoring put Central well on their way to victory, whilst the team performance was excellent and warranted the six goals they scored.

The result meant Central remained in eighth place, but kept the pressure on the sides above them, including their opponents on Saturday afternoon. Still eight points off third placed side Avenue, Central still have a way to go until thinking of promotion, but their start this year has been encouraging.

Meanwhile Bolton Lads and Girls Club occupy sixth place in Division One and come off the back of a hefty 4-1 win over Wilmslow Albion.

The home side this weekend are currently on an unbeaten run of four, including their last result they have also picked up wins over Bolton United and East Manchester, whilst picking up a point in a tough game against Elton Vale.

Although enduring an inconsistent season at home this season, they have started the new year in formidable form at their home turf and will be another tough test for Central who will be keen to continue their brilliant start to the year.

Central meanwhile have been generally poor away from home this season, albeit having played just five fixtures, they have lost three times. However, their win last weekend will encourage Central manager Chris Tomkinson, with the manner of the result being something they have waited for since the early stages of the season.

The visitors on Saturday will have to show improvement in their away form if they are to get back into the promotion picture, particularly considering seven out of their remaining ten league games will be played away from Seashell’s Trust, including this weekend.

However, whilst confidence is high in the Central camp, Tomkinson will feel his side can continue to build some key momentum in this crucial part of the season.

Last time out, Fuad Kasali got back up and running in Central colours since his return to the club in late January. A brace including a powerful effort that slipped through the keeper's hands and a composed finish whilst in on goal saw Kasali take his tally to 15 for the season.

The Central forward put on an improved display from his previous appearance, particularly off the ball which Tomkinson voiced his delight of in his post-match interview last weekend. A fit and firing Kasali is a dangerous sight for other teams and will only get better each time he sets foot on a pitch.

Bolton Lads & Girls Club do have their goal threats, Kieran Ward is currently their top scorer this season, grabbing 7 goals in 13 appearances. Whilst Oliver Corris has netted 5 times in 9 appearances this season, and three other players have notched four times respectively.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season so each side will have little to go off by in terms of preparation, but it will be an intriguing contest between two sides who are in form.

A win for Bolton could see them climb above Avenue depending on the result of their game with Avro Reserves, whilst three points for Central would see them leapfrog their opponents on Saturday, while it could also see them jump Altrincham Hale if their result goes their way.