MATCH PREVIEW – Manchester Central FC v Astley & Tyldesley

Coming up this week, Central welcome Astley & Tyldesley for their first meeting of the season.

Manchester Central host Astley & Tyldesley for their first clash of the season in Division Two of the Manchester Football League. It’s an important game for both sides as they both seek to climb up into the top five and subsequently the promotion places with just one place separating the two sides in the league standings.

The home side return to league action following a week break in which they managed to pick up an impressive 5-3 win against East Manchester away from home. Their last piece of league action was a dominant 8-0 victory against AFC Burnley, continuing their recent resurgence of form in the league, making that two wins from their last two fixtures.

However, for the visitors, it has been a struggle as of late, only managing to pick up one win in the last five league fixtures, which came against Cavaliers who sit bottom of Division Two. In their last outing, they narrowly lost out to second placed side Leigh Genesis leaving them in tenth, right behind Central, setting up a fascinating tie on Saturday which could have huge ramifications in the fight for promotion.

A win for Manchester Central could see them move up to eighth in the league table, putting them within a point of fifth placed side, AFC Monton, provided results go their way in other fixtures, whereas for Astley & Tyldesley, a win would put them level on points with their opponents on Saturday, still having played a game more, however.

The danger man for the home side would most certainly be Tawab Djankpata, securing a hattrick in the last outing whilst also scoring a stunner a few weeks back against Daisy Hill. The away side will also have to watch out for duo Gabriel Wiwoloku and Fuhad Kasali, both having scored in the 8-0 thrashing of AFC Burnley and 17 and 16 goals respectively so far this season.

Whereas Central will have to keep an eye on forward and top scorer Keeran Parker, having scored 15 goals himself so far this season, most notably scoring five in the thrashing of Cavaliers a few weeks ago.