Determined Central welcome Chadderton in Division One

Manchester Central once again host Division One football at Seashell Trust when Division Two champions Chadderton Cott visit.

A harsh 4-1 defeat at the hands of title hopefuls Stockport Georgians last weekend meant Central suffered their first defeat at home this season whilst their wait for a Division One win this season goes on.

In what was a determined effort against one of the league's best sides, Central hosted an entertaining first half of action, where either side could have been ahead at the break if not for some smart stops by both men between the sticks.

Following a second half blitz, Stockport pulled clear from Central whilst Lamin Jammeh’s cool finish was merely a consolation for Chris Tomkinson’s side who will hope the search for a win will come to an end at the weekend.

Chadderton meanwhile have had to endure a difficult spell in Division One since their first and only win in the competition in their 7-0 rout at bottom side Hindley Juniors in August.

The tenth placed side have only managed to pick up a point in their last four, including their most recent result where they suffered a 2-1 defeat to now fourth placed Avenue, but can now look to improve on their respectable away record when they make the trip to Seashell Trust.

Central’s home turf will welcome a Division One side for the third consecutive fixture on Saturday after hosting goals aplenty in the last two.

Bolton Lads & Girls Club helped play out a thrilling 3-3 draw a few weekends back before Stockport Georgians secured an important win last time out, Chadderton will be the latest side to make the trip.

In what may be encouraging news for Tomkinson, three of the next four fixtures including Chadderton will come against sides in the bottom half however those will be sandwiched by Central’s first round clash in the Manchester FA Challenge Trophy, as well as a tough contest with Old Altrinchamians in their return to league action.

Central’s fortunes have been somewhat a tale of two ends of the pitch so far. Tomkinson’s men are the fifth highest scoring side in Division One (13) but ranking second for goals conceded has hurt Central drastically in their wait for a win.

Jammeh’s strike last weekend was his second of the season, which also saw him become the fourth Central player to score at least twice this campaign alongside Daniel Dolling, Dimitri Kemayou and Thi-Reece Lenihan.

It will provide confidence to boss Tomkinson to know he has a range of options in front of goal whilst Chadderton will have to be on their toes defensively.

Chadderton’s pointless home record won’t come into question thankfully for the visitors at the weekend whose only points (4) so far this season have come away from home, whilst the trip to Seashell Trust will be their fifth in their opening seven fixtures.

Central’s opponents do have positives to note despite starting at the lower end of the table. They have the joint best defensive record in the bottom half, whilst their 11 goals in away fixtures this season ranks third in the division.

There will be arguably a higher chance for points in their next two league games, which come against sides below them. Central first, then East Manchester but the following fixtures will see them clash with two sides who currently sit in the top three, Old Altrinchamians and Baguley Athletic.

Chadderton have found it difficult to adjust to life in Division One. They topped Division Two by fine margins to Stockport and Baguley, whilst it was their exceptional consistency that won them the title, winning their last six including a 3-1 win over Baguley on the final day.

They have struggled to replicate such consistency in a new league, but much like Central, a win or a run of good results could see Chadderton climb rapidly up the standings.

A win won’t see the visitors make any ground in the table, but it could see them begin to create some space between them and those below them, whilst a win for Central would see them leapfrog Chadderton and potentially into the top ten depending on how East Manchester get on.

The fixture is scheduled to kick off at 15:00pm BST at Seashell Trust on Saturday 23rd September. The referee will be Matthew Clarke.