Central look ahead to opening day encounter

Manchester Central finally return to competitive action in six days when they welcome Elton Vale to their new home at the Seashells Trust Academy.

Following a season full of highs and lows in the 2021/22 season, Central will look to replicate their end of the season form that they managed to produce, which ultimately saw them into the promotion places from what seemed an impossible position.

They will now need to take their game to another level in this upcoming season, facing some new opponents that they will need to beware of if they are to have a successful year in Division One.

First up, they take on Elton Vale, who endured a rocky 2021/22 season in Division One last year, finishing down in 8thplace, and taking only 21 points from 20 league games.

Holding no apparent threats high up the pitch, with no players breaching the 10-goal mark, it seems on the surface that this is a great opportunity for Central to get up and running and gain momentum in a league full of quality sides.

Despite this, Elton Vale did not struggle to score goals, netting an impressive 47 times in Division One last season which was only topped by two sides. Therefore, Central surely won’t have it easy, and will have to show more defensive prowess that they didn’t show enough last season.

It would be foolish for Central and manager Chris Tomkinson to show such naivety ahead of the curtain raiser, and it is crucial that the team take the season one game at a time if they are to make any progress from last season.

Central will be pleased to know that they open their campaign on home soil, considering how dominant they were last year, particularly in the second half of the season. however, they have switched homes, and therefore it could prove more difficult.

Chris Tomkinson will want to see an improvement away from home, particularly in front of goal. Central only managed to net 35 in their 13 away games, compared to 61 goals scored in their 13 home games.

Now a drop in goalscoring proficiency is to be expected away from home, however, Tomkinson will want to see his side close that gap when they are not at home, and they will have to if they expect to achieve anything significant this season.

Central look to get their campaign off to the perfect start on august 13th, ahead of a season that will be their most challenging yet, and one where Chris Tomkinson hopes his side can make strides in a long and hard-fought season.