Central look for bounce back when Avenue visit

A return to winning ways is on the agenda for Manchester Central when they welcome Avenue MFL to Seashell Trust.

Central were unfortunate to lose out to a strong Old Altrinchamians side last weekend after a good performance wasn’t enough to earn any points. Chris Tomkinson’s men can be encouraged by such a performance against one of the stronger sides in the division.

Both goals in the 2-0 defeat came against the run of play, Dave Drinkwater opened the scoring inside ten minutes in the first half before shouts for a penalty after Dan Dolling was shoved were waived away by the referee. Alex Rimmer ultimately sealed the points for the away side on the hour mark.

Tomkinson’s men had previously won consecutive games for the first time in 2023/24. A 5-1 win at Seashell Trust over Chadderton Cott saw Central score their first victory of the campaign before a Dimitri Kemayou double saw them come from behind to beat Manchester Gregorians in the Manchester Challenge Trophy.

The game against Old Altrinchamians was the first time Central have failed to score this season, who have typically been a reliable outfit in front of goal. They’ve found the net 18 times so far in Division One action, which is a record only bested by the top four sides.

One of those four teams does include their upcoming opponents, Avenue, who it's fair to say have had their way in recent years against Central.

In a record that spans back to December 2021 when both sides were in Division Two, Central have lost out in their last four meetings with Avenue, including a 4-2 defeat on the opening day in August.

Tomkinson and his side will look to break that run on Saturday afternoon. There has been a clear sign of improvement from Central in recent weeks, and there will be hope that their good performances will turn into results.

Avenue will be the second side in the top four that Central have faced in their last three outings, adding to what has been a diffcult start to the season, but a result at the weekend would mean a third win in four games in all competitions.

Their opponents meanwhile were knocked out of the Manchester Challenge Trophy in their last fixture against fellow Division One side Heywood St James. It was a cruel ending for Avenue who lost out on penalties (5-4) after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Avenue have been typically reliable on the road this season having won three of their four played in Division One, a Mitchell Clarke strike was thought to help them on their way to another win away from home, but Drew Bowyer equalised on the cusp of half-time for the home side.

The result meant it was consecutive cup defeats for Avenue who suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to West Lancashire Premier Division side Hurst Green in the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield a week earlier.

However, like Central Avenue’s last league win came against Chadderton when Carlton Norford and Callum Ormrod both scored to secure a vital three points.

They had previously lost ground to the frontrunners after consecutive defeats to Baguley Athletic and Old Altrinchamians which means Avenue now sit six points off third placed Stockport Georgians.

Avenue had initially won their opening three fixtures of the season, including the opening day win over Central but a recent slight blip in form means they must refocus ahead of a potentially pivotal remainder of the month.

Central will be the first of three important tests in October for Avenue. Their trip to Seashell Trust will be followed by the visit of Bolton Borough who sit on the same points tally before they travel to face Stockport.

The outcome of all three fixtures could decide whether Avenue will remain in the hunt for promotion. Even this early on, it will feel imperative to stay close to the three frontrunners the longer the season goes on, whilst more dropped points could prove costly.

Central meanwhile will have a similar feeling. Despite an improvement in recent fixtures, Tomkinson’s men must begin to put points on the board having just collected five from their opening eight fixtures.

It leaves them already 13 points behind the top three, giving them a mountain to climb if they do wish for a now unlikely promotion push. A win on Saturday meanwhile would signal a turnaround for Central who will feel it is a must win.

The fixture is to be played at Seashell Trust on Saturday 14 October. Kick-off is at 14:00pm, and the referee is Fiyinfoluwa Aladelusi.