Central travel to Boothstown in search of strong finish

Boothstown host Central in Division One football as the visitors will look to end their season on a high.

A convincing 5-2 win at Tinwistle Athletic in midweek meant Manchester Central guaranteed an eighth-place finish in Division One this season, no matter the outcome of their final fixture of what has been a rollercoaster campaign to say the least.

It certainly has been a turbulent year for those repping the white and black of Central, in a season where they have really failed to gather any kind of consistency or momentum at important parts in the campaign.

However, a dominant victory last time out meant Central could finish the season strongly after scoring five in a game for the fifth time in 2022/23, whilst the win at Tintwistle was a day for newcomers, who we could see more of next season as Central look for progress.

Thi-Reece Lenihan was a particular highlight on Tuesday grabbing a spectacular double as well as an assist in an excellent showing, whilst Scott Anderson, Abolfazl Jadidi and Ayodele Ogundele all showed promise.

Central boss Chris Tomkinson was without club captain Dan Dolling due to a suspected ankle injury he sustained against Avro Reserves, as well as regular number one Danny Whiting.

Kaine Martin also was unavailable for Central, a man who has been a key part of Tomkinson’s squad this season, including the purple patch of scoring form the midfielder picked up earlier on in the campaign, whilst it is unclear if any of the three will return for the final fixture of the season.

Tomkinson however will be encouraged by the performances of some of the newer additions to the squad and could turn to them again this weekend when Central visit Boothstown.

Meanwhile Central’s opponents on Saturday afternoon have endured a difficult campaign thus far, but unlike Central still have more football to be played in Division One after the weekend’s action concludes.

Boothstown currently sit tenth in the standings, but still have five league fixtures to play meaning they could mathematically finish level on points with Central if they win their remaining games, although they will have to overcome a large deficit in goal difference if they wish to finish ahead of them.

The hosts on Saturday were the most recent victim of the league leaders’ dominance this season, conceding five to Govan and Uni of Manchester albeit in the Murray Trophy, but before then had won their previous two in Division One action beating both Altrincham Hale and Bolton United at home.

Boothstown hold an indifferent record on their home turf this season, whilst on the one hand they have scored most of their goals there, they have also conceded more than away from home.

They have secured some impressive results when hosting, beating third-placed Bolton Borough 2-1, as well as holding the runaway table toppers to a 2-2 draw, but have also conceded more than four times at home this season on five different occasions, meaning Central will be facing a completely unpredictable outfit on the weekend.

Central were able to knock off their upcoming opposition in early March by two goals to nil at Seashell Trust in what was a comfortable afternoon thanks to Claudio Costa and Elvis Amoakwa, but should expect all possibilities that they will face a different opponent on Saturday.

Tomkinson has voiced for his players to show more commitment, with so much of their season interrupted by chops and changes to the starting line-up and will hope for the same squad from the one he had at Tintwistle, as well as some returning regulars.

The game on Saturday could be a good indicator of what to expect from Central next time around in Division One, with preparations already in mind for pre-season. Central will have a good opportunity to finish strongly and to turn their attention to a clean slate come August.