Five Things You Must Know as Central Host De La Salle

A new challenge awaits as Manchester Central set off in their journey in this season’s Murray Trophy, when they welcome Division Two side De La Salle to Seashell Trust.

The club have regained form in recent weeks, after consecutive wins against Boothstown and Altrincham Hale in Division One put them back in the winning column following a difficult period.

Manchester Central have another opportunity to lift some silverware this season after missing out in the Manchester Challenge Trophy final at the end of February.

Here are five things you must know ahead of the return to cup action.

• Central Look for Next Step in the Murray Trophy

Central suffered a cruel defeat in the final of the Manchester Challenge Trophy to Premier Division side Chadderton Reserves over one month ago now. The two sides played out a captivating 2-2 draw in regulation, but Chadderton went perfect from the penalty spot in the shootout to knock off Central.

Those in the white and black strip can now look past their wounds as they set off on another cup challenge in the Murray Trophy.

An opening tie with De La Salle awaits them this Saturday, where Central can aim to build on the momentum they have set. Performance levels have increased in the last weeks, and the meeting at the weekend could prove to be a spectacular contest, where Central can look to go one step further in cup competition.

• New Additions have Rejuvenated Central

Amid an inconsistent season for Central, boss Chris Tomkinson has been desperate for a spark to revive this Central side who have been struggling. Luckily for the gaffer, recent additions to the squad have been a huge boost as Central have begun to turn the tide on their recent poor form.

Consecutive wins over Boothstown and Altrincham Hale in Division One have set the club back on track after a horrid period spanning from the beginning of February to the beginning of March.

Tomkinson would have been delighted with the impact his new arrivals have made. Returning midfielder Elvis Amoakwa has been colossal since rejoining, scoring in both of Central’s recent wins. Centre half Adam Gunel has been instrumental in the recent improvement defensively, whilst Josh Grant and Ben Langley have also made an impact in their appearances.

Central now will look for a collective display on Saturday to advance to the next round of the Murray Trophy, but especially with regulars Fuad Kasali and Junior Silva having been unavailable in recent weeks, Tomkinson will look for his new additions to continue to impress as they take to the pitch at the weekend.

• Visitors in fine form ahead of the Fixture

Whilst Central’s return to form is timely, they face a side who are on a hot streak where anybody would find it difficult to find a side to match them.

Division Two side De La Salle are currently the first of the pack chasing promotion, sitting just two points behind third placed side Baguley Athletic, following a rampant vein of form.

Not only are their six consecutive wins a magnificent run, but their scoring record in that period is quite simply phenomenal. Netting 46 times in those six wins, De La Salle have clearly found a comfort in finding the back of the net, and when an opportunity arises, they do not miss.

Such shape in league competition will have the visitors in confident spirits on Saturday afternoon, who will look to translate their form to the cup when they make the trip to Seashell Trust.

• Outstanding vein of scoring sets De La Salle apart

Along with the results, the Division Two outfit have been in sublime form in front of goal for the duration of the campaign, but notably in their last six.

Perhaps more impressively, De La Salle rank as the highest scoring side in all six divisions in the Manchester Football League, notching 95 goals, whilst averaging five goals a game in their 19 fixtures played so far.

As the feats continue to rack up for De La Salle, the side sitting fourth in Division Two have also scored more than ten times on three separate occasions this season, including an 11-0 thumping at AFC Oldham Reserves in the Manchester Amateur Cup in October of last year. Whether their scoring run is an omen for Saturday, will be decided when they visit Central.

• Central moved past recurring issues in recent victories

A lack of desire, frustration in front of goal and defensive woes have all contributed towards the disruption in Central’s season this campaign.

On various occasions Central have failed to piece a performance together that has aided to their league position, resulting in a fall down the standings after an excellent start to the season. Suffering a 5-0 defeat at Govan highlighted recent concerns defensively, whilst a four-game goalless span in Division One saw the usually ruthless side frustrated.

However, a quick turnaround in form has seen Central improve at both ends of the pitch, with a first clean sheet against Boothstown a first since Central’s 6-0 rout at East Manchester. Meanwhile seven goals in their last two, and particularly in their 5-2 win at Altrincham Hale saw Central rediscover their scoring touch.

Concerns were raised as to whether the recent absence of potent forwards Silva and Kasali were becoming an issue for Tomkinson’s side, but recent additions have inspired more variety on the scoresheet. Defensive pair Gunel and Aria Asqari both scored at the past weekend, whilst Nuno Mendes Delgado added his first for the club.

All aspects combined certainly creates an inviting contest on Saturday, and the meeting may well turn out to be an end-to-end tie, where both sides will go all out for a passage to the next round of the Murray Trophy.