Division One struggles continue for Central in Govan defeat

Manchester Central suffered their worst defeat of the season on Saturday after being hit for five against table toppers Govan and Uni of Manchester.

In a game where Central went into it as underdogs, Chris Tomkinson’s side once again struggled in front of goal and failed to capitalise on their lively start in the first half.

The visitors were popping it about with confidence against the league leaders but failed to carve out any real opportunities in the opening 20 minutes, and in typical Central fashion this season, a lack of focus cost them dearly just before the halfway mark in the first half.

Despite trailing 2-0 at the interval, Central would perhaps have felt that the score-line was harsh considering their promising display. However, in the second half Govan showed their quality, scoring a third relatively early in the half to put the game to bed, whilst punishing Central for their lack of concentration in the final ten minutes.

The result was ultimately another reality check for Central who remain in eighth place in Division One, whilst Govan extended their advantage over Elton Vale at the top of the table, following Elton Vale’s 0-0 stalemate with Tintwistle Athletic.

Tomkinson named his starting eleven with a few fresh faces that saw both Ben Langley and Josh Holt make their debuts as a part of the back five alongside Daniel Whiting, Claudio Costa and captain Daniel Dolling.

Familiar face among the Central faithful Elvis Amoakwa returned to start in central midfield alongside Kaine Martin and Nell Noupoue. Meanwhile forwards Junior Silva and Dennis Raposo were unavailable, however Luca Navarro returned to the starting eleven alongside Aria Asqari and Fuad Kasali to form the front three.

Despite their most recent result in the Challenge Trophy final, Central were looking to replicate their performance against Chadderton Reserves that was much improved from their previous three in league action. Heading into the game Central had failed to score in their last three Division One fixtures, whilst failing to build on their strong start to the year.

Govan came into the game off the back of three consecutive wins in Division One, whilst looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.

The game started in lively fashion with both sides looking to get forward at every possible opportunity. The home side had the first half chance, as their number nine let the ball roll across his body on the edge of the box past Holt, but he swiped at the effort which went wayward.

Central however did start the game well and got into a rhythm in possession without really penetrating the Govan backline. It had been a familiar story for Central this season, starting games well but struggling to capitalise on their superiority.

And on cue, Govan punished Central. A long diagonal pass looks to be relatively simple to deal with, but Central were caught on their heels, as their number seven wrestled his way through and unselfishly squared to his partner, who rolled the ball into the empty net.

The league leaders did start rather sluggishly, and there was always a feeling they had another gear to go into. The first goal did however kick them into life, as a few minutes later again a long ball caused problems for Central, beating Holt whilst Dolling slipped allowing the Govan number nine to race through, but on the stretch, he could only drag his effort wide of the far post.

Govan’s number seven was a real threat for Central throughout, as he once again linked up with the number nine. Finding himself with the ball on the right, he beat Costa in a foot race, managing to stay on his feet and squared to his strike partner who for the second time, could not miss to double Govan’s lead inside half an hour.

It may have seemed a harsh scoreline on Central’s general play, but Govan’s ruthlessness in front of goal proved to be the difference in the half. Central however managed to settle following the second and were able to produce a few chances of their own in the final ten minutes of the half.

First, a long throw from the right taken by Langley found a flick on the near post that found Martin darting in at the back post who looked destined to get one back for Central, but his effort was crucially blocked by the keeper to keep the deficit at two.

Merely seconds later, Central came again. From the resulting corner, a clearance out fell to Dolling on the edge, who took a few touches and struck a decent effort that was arrowing into the far corner, only to be denied by an important touch from the keeper.

Central’s progress was brought to a temporary halt, as Asqari had gone down following a clash with a Govan player that unfortunately meant he had to come off. Asqari was replaced by Tom Janney, which saw a few changes to the line-up. The change meant Kasali moved to the central position up front whilst Martin moved to a more advanced role on the left, allowing Janney to slot into midfield.

That change concluded the action of the first period, which saw Central take the game to the league leaders, but the two real moments of quality in the half saw Govan hold the advantage at the break.

Central had a lot of joy in possession, but failed to grab a goal when they were on top and were punished by league leaders Govan, who showed why they are top of Division One.

Managing to get on top even when they were not at their best proved their worth as table toppers and they would have fancied themselves to go on and grab a fourth consecutive win in the second half.

Govan started the second period in style, as the game struck 53 minutes played, their number seven got a deserved goal for his display. The tricky winger managed to race free down the left and check back inside brilliantly to beat his man, then cheekily provided an acute finish off the inside of the near post to put the game to bed.

It was exactly what Central didn’t need at the start of the second half, and it was ultimately the telling blow in the game. Whilst Govan were not at their best, they had managed to build a 3-0 lead, once again showing their character.

The home side pushed on, forcing an excellent save out of Whiting. A neat bit of play set Govan’s number 11 away into space on the edge of the box, who took a touch and fired a powerful strike on target that was parried away brilliantly by Central’s number one.

The next 15 minutes saw little action from either side. With just over 20 minutes to go Tomkinson decided to make wholesale changes replacing Langley, Navarro and Costa with the returning Elliot Regan, Bamba Fall and Emmanuel Sholabi, who was sent on as a makeshift target man.

Central however remained under pressure. As Govan substitute number 15 raced in down the right, forcing Whiting to come out to meet him. The winger was able to knock it past the Central keeper, but fortunately captain Dolling was there to clear it off the line to keep the score at 3-0.

Kasali who was completely isolated throughout finally had his first opening of the game. The tricky forward found himself with a yard of space on the right inside the box and managed to shift the ball out of his feet and fire a promising effort towards the far corner, but a slight deflection took the strike off course just past the post.

The game had become a completely end to end contest with Central pushing for a goal back. Govan fancied themselves on the counter, but Whiting was keeping Central from embarrassment at this point in the game.

The ever-dangerous number seven was denied twice by Whiting. First, the winger raced in behind and got in a foot race with Whiting, who just about managed to block the effort wide.

The number seven however came again, trying to squeeze a tame effort past Whiting at the near post, only for the keeper to deny him again with his feet this time.

Whiting, however, couldn’t keep everything out. A quickfire double in the final ten minutes saw Govan run riot. First from a wide free kick that was whipped in from the left found a Govan head, who under little pressure managed to knock a header into the far corner past the outstretched arm of Whiting.

Just a few minutes later, Govan got another. Once again, the home side were first to the rebound, following an effort that was parried away by Whiting into a sea of bodies, the number 11 was quick to react and tapped it into the net rounding off an emphatic display from the league leaders.

For Central who were relieved to hear the final whistle go, it was another poor display in Division One as their league troubles continued. The result made it four consecutive defeats in the competition, with Tomkinson looking avidly for answers.

Meanwhile, Govan once again had proved why they are leading the division and showed they had certainly got over their minor home blip in form, making that their second in a row.

Central now must look to their next fixture which will see them return to home action against Boothstown, whilst Govan will look to continue their title push against bottom placed side Wilmslow Albion.