Central Search for Answers When They Host Avenue

Manchester Central face a tough task on Saturday when they welcome Avenue to Seashell’s Trust in the next round of Division One fixtures.

A shock 3-2 defeat to East Manchester last time out stunned Central at home last weekend in Division One, in a game which seemed as great an opportunity as any to get themselves back into the winning column in league football.

That defeat has left Central winless in their last five league fixtures, only managing to pick up one point in that period and meant that Central now sit nine points adrift of the promotion places in Division One.

This dire run of form for Central has meant they have slipped dramatically down the standings in Division One, now sitting in eighth position, now facing a mountain to climb if they want any shot of Premier Division football next season.

Their opponents however are enjoying a good season so far, sitting in fourth place in the standings just two points behind third-placed Govan and Uni of Manchester albeit having played four times more than the team directly above them.

Avenue were suffering a three-game winless run in Division One before back-to-back wins over East Manchester and Hindley Juniors put them back in a good position to make a push for the promotion places.

Ahead of the meeting, Manchester Central have uncharacteristically struggled as of late in home fixtures, failing to win any out of their last three in the league, managing only a point from a possible nine available.

Meanwhile Avenue have had an indifferent record away from home this season, winning three but also losing three, whilst picking up one draw in seven away games this campaign. There is little to suggest what side could turn up on Saturday, certainly Central will be hoping for the side that has been leaky defensively.

Avenue have struggled to keep the ball out of their net away from home, having conceded 19 in just seven league games. It is a record they most definitely won’t be proud of, but a record that they aren’t dealing with alone.

Central also have visibly struggled defensively this season, having conceded 26 times in their 11 league fixtures, whilst the visitors on Saturday have let in 31 in 14. Both sides’ struggles in the defensive third of the pitch could suggest a potential thriller could be on the cards.

Both sides met twice in Division Two football last campaign, both winning thrillers in their respective away fixtures. Similarly, both games had goals aplenty with each side leaking their fair share of goals, which could be a preview of what's to come in their first meeting this campaign.

There was little to separate the two teams in Division Two last year, with Avenue finishing in fourth and Central in fifth whilst drawing level on points for the season with Avenue edging Central out on goal difference.

A win this time around for Avenue could see them into the top three in Division One, despite the sides around them all having games in hand. Avenue will certainly be hoping future results go their way, if they wish to remain in and around the promotion places.

Whereas a victory for Central could see them up to seventh place just four points behind Avenue, but a win for Central would mean much more than just a position gained, it would be a win that ends a winless streak to forget and may provide a much-needed boost of confidence for Chris Tomkinson’s men in order to get back in the hunt for promotion ahead of the Christmas break.