CENTRAL LOOK TO GET BACK ON TRACK AGAINST MONTON

Manchester Central welcome AFC Monton on Saturday afternoon for another fixture in Division Two of the Manchester Football League that holds tremendous weight in the hunt for the promotion places. Last time out Central suffered a shock 2-0 defeat away from home to Astley & Tyldesley, considering that the week before they had given that same team a hammering at home. The home side this week will be looking to rectify that as they host the team who occupy the position they so desperately want, come the end of the season.

This is the second and final fixture between these two sides this season, as the first was played earlier on in the year, where AFC Monton edged out an eight-goal thriller. Central will want to get their own back in the reverse fixture on Saturday, in order to close the gap to their opponents to just four points, heading into the tail end of the season.

Central look to get back on track against AFC Monton, as their recent spell of good form came to an end, conceding a disappointing defeat in their last fixture. It was a difficult day for the team, playing in particularly difficult conditions, and dominating much of the game.

Despite this, Central were highly susceptible to Astley & Tyldesley’s quick counter attacks, conceding too many opportunities in defensive transitions, and it cost them dearly. Manager Chris Tomkinson will be hoping that his side can cut this out ahead of a crucial game for their promotion aspirations.

AFC Monton, however, have been on a good run of form, winning their last two games and impressively scoring seven and conceding none. These two wins came off the back of a month hiatus from league action, and it has put them in a strong position to claim that final promotion place.

Last week Monton put on a show, capitalising on Central’s loss and putting five past a helpless Hollinwood side, extending their advantage in the standings to seven points from Central. This sets up a huge game on Saturday with ramifications that could put Central out of the hunt for the promotion places, especially considering AFC Monton still have two games in hand over Central, reinforcing the importance of this match for the home side, who just cannot afford to drop points.

Central will have to look out for top scorer Adam Campbell, who has notched an impressive 15 goals in 17 league appearances this season, whilst AFC Monton will have their hands full, coming up against a inform trio of Fuhad Kasali, Tawab Djankpata and Junior Silva who combined have scored 28 goals so far this season, and they will want to get back on the scoresheet after they were stopped in their tracks last time out.

A win for Central would be a significant three points in their hopes for promotion to Division One, whereas a win for AFC Monton on Saturday would put them in a mightily strong position in fifth, keeping their closest competition at least three points adrift with as many games in hand.