Five Star Central cruise past Altrincham Hale

Manchester Central put on one of their best performances of the season when they hit Altrincham Hale for five on Saturday afternoon.

In what turned out to be a sunny afternoon in Altrincham, Manchester Central came into the fixture looking to build on their recent 2-0 win over Boothstown at Seashell Trust a week earlier, and they could not have done any better.

A double from Aria Asqari and a powerful header from Adam Gunel put Central well on their way to victory at the interval, whilst second half goals from Elvis Amoakwa and Nuno-Mendes Delgado put the game well out of reach for the home side.

Altrincham Hale did manage to grab a few consolations in the second period after Central had seemed to switch off after scoring a fifth, but the fightback proved to be too little, too late as the visitors saw the game out to earn back-to-back wins in Division One.

Danny Whiting retained his accustomed starting position in between the sticks against Altrincham, whilst the back four saw a few changes from those who started in the win against Boothstown last week.

Captain Daniel Dolling moved back inside as one of the central defenders alongside Gunel, who made yet another start after an impressive start to his Central career. Asqari returned to the lineup after his absence against Boothstown at right back, whilst newcomer Al-Amin Nasiru slotted in at left back.

Central began with two recognisable central midfielders, with one of the scorers against Boothstown, Amoakwa, partnering Nell Noupoue, who both retained their positions from the win at Seashell Trust.

Kaine Martin continued in his new position higher up the pitch, seemingly starting as a number ten just in behind the front three of Luca Navarro on the right, Nuno Mendes Delgado on the left and Dennis Raposo through the centre.

Boss Chris Tomkinson was only offered the availability of two substitutes for this one, with Ruben Lawal and Claudio Costa providing different options off the bench if necessary.

The visitors continued with their familiar system that has been utilised for much of 2023, however it did see Navarro move in and out of position when Central were with and without the ball. In possession Navarro remained disciplined and stayed put out wide on the right, providing width for his side, whilst out of possession he was asked to come inside as a midfielder to provide another body in the centre of the pitch.

It was a relatively lively start for Central who took their time to get into stride in the first 20 minutes, whilst Altrincham posed a threat on the counter. There were no real opportunities however in this period as both sides continued their search for a breakthrough.

It was however, a rather out of character goal that gave the away side the lead 23 minutes in. From a corner that was swung in from the right, the ball was met by a thumping Asqari header into the roof of the net giving Central a much-needed opener that could help them settle.

At the half hour mark, Central came again with another opportunity. Raposo had his first sight at goal, as a clipped ball down the left channel was inadvertently flicked on by the centre half, allowing Raposo to race onto it. The forward set himself and struck an effort on goal, but the strike was too tame and easy to deal with.

It was almost ten minutes later when Central really got in the groove, scoring a second of real quality. Noupoue and Amoakwa worked well to keep the ball for Central before the latter picked it up on the right. The powerful midfielder managed to chop back inside well and pick out a delightful reverse pass for the onrushing Asqari who beyond the last line of defence fired a rocket past the keeper at the near post to get his and Central’s second.

It was excellent football, and the kind of play that Tomkinson and Chairman Paul McGuire had been crying out for. It was an example of what this team can do, and ahead of next season, it was a good sign of things to come.

Central were not finished there however for the first half. From the left this time, a corner was delivered, and met by Gunel, who joined Asqari , rising highest to head home, scoring his first for the club since joining.

The third goal was the final piece of action for the first period, and it was arguably the best half of football that Central had produced all season long. It was full of intensity, quality and desire and the visitors went into the break with a fully deserved lead that they could build on in the second half.

Altrincham meanwhile had no answer for a rejuvenated Central, who were just too much to deal with for the home side. Altrincham now had a mountain to climb in the second period, but with hardly any openings created in the first half, it was difficult to see in which direction any fightback was to come from.

Just as when the home side had a chance to reset and take the fight to Central, the visitors came roaring out of the break.

Minutes into the half Amoakwa grabbed his second goal in as many games, once again from distance as on the turn the midfielder drove forward into space. With time to shoot, Amoakwa set himself and fired an absolute rocket past the keeper that flew over his head, and despite the ferocity of the strike that was hit from 25 yards out, the keeper should have done better.

Central weren’t done there. The away side were able to grab a fifth, as a flick on down the right channel set Delgado in on goal. The forward composed himself and bobbled a bouncing ball off the inside of the far post, netting his first in Central colours that wrapped up a five-star Central display.

The home side did put up some form of a fightback in the remaining half an hour of the match, striking twice in quick succession to deny Central consecutive clean sheets, and although there was a brief moment of worry for the Central faithful, they were able to see out an excellent result with a performance to match.

It was an encouraging display from those in the white and black strip, and it was three points that saw them cut the gap to Altrincham to just four points whilst having played two games fewer.

An away win, a quality performance and three points were everything Central came into the game seeking, and they more than earned each one of those things. Ahead of their return to cup competition, consecutive league wins are not a bad way for Central to head into the fixture with De La Salle.

Meanwhile Altrincham have almost reached the conclusion of their season, with no cup action to look forward to, the Division One side have just three league fixtures remaining, first starting with Wilmslow Albion at the start of April.