Central host against Bolton Lads & Girls Club with victory in sight

Seashell Trust will host Division One football for the second time this season when Manchester Central welcome Bolton Lads & Girls Club.

Central’s wait for a league victory continued last weekend when they narrowly missed out in a 3-2 thriller at East Manchester, which saw Central lose a 2-1 lead after a rapid three-minute turnaround from the hosts.

Captain Daniel Dolling’s first goal of the season from the spot was thought to have put Central in control with 20 minutes to go, but East Manchester were quick to deny Central of their first win of the campaign.

Bolton meanwhile have had a week’s extra rest with no scheduled fixture last weekend and will have the benefit of fresher legs although unlikely to give any major advantage over Central.

The break was likely needed for Bolton to recuperate following their heavy 7-1 home defeat to Bolton Borough a few weeks back, whilst ahead of their meeting with Central they will look to come into the fixture energised and focused on getting back into the winning column.

Bolton have only played at home so far this season but have only won once in their three fixtures which came in the form of a 3-1 win over Hindley Juniors which saw top and only scorer Keane Mills score a hat-trick to secure the points for his side.

Mills is already on track to equalling his tally from last season where he netted eight times in 31 appearances in Division One, but an explosion this campaign has seen the forward become a one man show for Bolton.

A brace to open his account against Stockport Georgians got the ball rolling, whilst Mills scored the only goal against Bolton Borough which sandwiched the hat-trick against Hindley.

Bolton will hope Mills can continue his hot start to the season but the lack of variety across the squad may be a cause for concern in the long-term, especially against a side who have struggled defensively this campaign.

Central whilst winless have started relatively well in front of goal, upwards from last season, and although not reaching the levels of the top sides so far, will hope to rely on their attacking play for success this season.

Dimitri Kemayou (3) and Thi-Reece Lenihan (2) lead the way for Chris Tomkinson’s side in front of goal, but it will be at the other end of the pitch that will concern the Central boss most, with his side already conceding 12 times.

Central’s backline will have to sure things up defensively if they wish for any type of success this season and should look to pointers from pre-season where they conceded just over a goal per game (1.1) in the seven fixtures they played.

Meanwhile Tomkinson will also be hoping to get a winning result on the board after a difficult start. Just a point from 12 would not have been the start he wanted with this new look Central side, although with the point coming in their only home fixture so far, there is an opportunity on the cards.

A win against Bolton this weekend gives Central the chance to build not only confidence for the squad but momentum on their home turf, where a good record would have them pointing in an upward trajectory.

However, in this fixture last season Bolton were able to pick up an impressive three points with a narrow 1-0 win at Seashell Trust, and good memories at Central’s ground may provide confidence for this Bolton side.

The upcoming meeting will be Bolton’s first trip of the campaign which may aid Central but a solid record on the road last season could indicate otherwise.

Both sides will be desperate for a positive result to build on, and although still early, more lost ground would give Bolton and Central a tricky task if aspirations of promotion are still in sight.

The fixture is scheduled to kick off at 15:00pm on Saturday 9 September at Seashell Trust. The match official will be Gary Sweeney.