Central Find Out Next Opponent in the Manchester Challenge Trophy

Manchester Central will welcome Heywood St James in the next round of the Manchester Challenge Trophy as the next set of fixtures were announced.

Following Central’s solid 2-1 win over Avro Reserves in the previous round of the competition, Chris Tomkinson will be hoping his side can continue to progress further when they host Premier Division side Heywood St James.

Heywood St James managed to knock of Shaw Athletic with a 2-1 win away from home to see themselves through to round three of the Manchester Challenge Trophy, in which they should expect a much tougher test against Central.

For the first time this season Central find themselves off the top spot in the standings in Division One, following their hugely disappointing defeat to the side who leapfrogged them, Bolton Borough.

It was looking good for Manchester Central at half-time in that game, going into the break with a 2-0 lead following goals from Aria Asqari and top scorer Fuad Kasali. However, a second half comeback from the home side denied Central a crucial win that would have seen them extend their advantage at the top of Division One.

Fortunes for Heywood St James have been hugely different this season, who find themselves second from bottom in the Premier Division, having yet to pick up their first three points of the season.

Last time out the Premier Division side were on the wrong end of a 4-0 thrashing away at Moorside Rangers. It has been an extremely difficult start to the campaign for Heywood, who will be looking to take their first win of the season when they host Rochdale Sacred Heart.

As for Central, they will seek to get back on track when they welcome Govan & Uni of Manchester on Saturday before they turn their attention to the cup tie with Heywood the following week.

There are no guarantees Central will get this over the line comfortably, at the end of the day it is the bottom of the Premier Division facing off with the top of Division One. It is sure to be a hard-fought contest with both sides having their own points to prove.

Heywood will seek to find success in a competition where they have not in the league, and Central will want to maintain their history of success in cup competitions when these sides meet in just over a weeks' time.