Central Welcome Familiar Opponents in Cup Clash

Manchester Central will host familiar opposition Avro Reserves on Saturday when they welcome them to Seashell’s Trust in Round Two of the Manchester Challenge Trophy.

These two sides will be no strangers to each other, having already played each other once this season in a thrilling matchup which saw Avro hand Central their first loss of the campaign.

Every game between these two delivers and expect the match on Saturday to be no different. Two good sides who play high tempo, attacking football, it is a game that is so hard to predict.

Central will be expected to return to their usual selves on Saturday, following a disappointing defeat at Elton Vale which saw their lead at the top of Division One remain at three points.

If their recent defeat is not enough motivation for Central, they can also use their defeat to Avro earlier on in the season which brought their winning streak to a halt.

Since their shock away to defeat to Avenue two games into the campaign, Avro have been on a tear, scoring 14 goals in the three league matches that followed.

Most recently hitting five past Boothstown, showing they will certainly pose a dangerous threat. Notably Central will need to keep tabs on duo Maysan Benarbia and Ibere Barumire.

The Avro duo have been on fire recently, both notching a hat-trick a piece in the last two games, becoming a large part of Avro’s success in the last three games.

Central will need their star man Fuad Kasali to step up, after going goalless in the defeat to Elton Vale. A rare occurrence for the forward, who will surely be hungry for more goals after already notching nine this season.

Kasali is no stranger to scoring against Avro, netting twice in the meeting earlier this season, and most notably notching a brace in the final game of the season last year to clinch promotion.

However, a more pressing issue for Chris Tomkinson and Central are their defensive woes this campaign. Fortunately for them, most of these woes have come away from home.

But it remains an issue that needs to improve and fast if Central want to maintain this title charge, only managing to pick up one clean sheet all season and conceding five twice.

Against a potent forward line on Saturday, Central must maintain full focus defensively, and need to show greater coordination and communication if they wish to get back to winning ways.

Central have been mighty at home once more this season, winning every game, scoring 12 and conceding only three times. It is an outstanding record, and one Chris Tomkinson hopes his side can continue when Avro come to visit in the Manchester Challenge Trophy.