Rewind: Third clash awaits Central and Elton Vale who have history

There are just two until we get to see Manchester Central back in action as they welcome Elton Vale in round number one of Division One football.

This however is not the first meeting between the two sides, as they meet for their third clash as we kick off Division One football. Let’s look back at the two previous matchups to see what we can expect when these two teams meet again.

MANCHESTER Central 1-1 Elton Vale

The first meeting had Central hosting Elton Vale, in a game where Elton Vale were much the better side. Throughout the away side seemed in control of the game, showing great composure in possession and posing a threat in the final third.

Central on the other hand struggled particularly in possession, being careless with the ball and as a result the home side created few openings that would cause any trouble for Elton Vale.

Despite this, Central opened the scoring right at the end of the first half, through forward Marcello Arhin as a clever ball round the corner sent him through on goal, and he calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to give Central a crucial lead.

It would have been wise to think the goal could have kickstarted Central into life, however this didn’t stop Elton Vale as they kept applying pressure, even having a header cleared off the line.

Then came the away side’s best chance of the game where they forced a fantastic double out of Central goalkeeper and captain Hadlow which preserved Central’s slender lead.

Elton Vale finally broke through Central’s resistance, when midfielder Kelvin Trippier tapped home a rebound following a corner right at the death to deny Central the victory.

ELTON VALE 4-1 MANCHESTER CENTRAL

In the return fixture the scoreline had a much more realistic reflection on the balance of play throughout the game, with Elton Vale this time around taking their chances and showing their class.

Central already found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening 15 minutes of the game, courtesy of a close-range header from Liam Boswell and a smartly taken volley from Mark Severs.

Despite the beginning of the game, Central responded well and displayed more poise in the final third, creating a few openings that could’ve seen them back in the game, but openings that they were unable to convert.

However, it didn’t take long for the home side to add another as Boswell grabbed his second and Elton Vale’s third at the half hour mark, when his half cross half shot crept in at the far post, leaving the score at 3-0 at the interval.

Central came out of the break with more energy and purpose, and managed to pull a goal back through Marcello Arhin, who converted from the penalty spot just seven minutes after the restart.

But the home side swiftly put the game to bed at the hour mark, as the ball fell to forward Carl Lowmax who clinically slotted the ball into the bottom corner to put the game out of reach for Central.

Elton Vale showed their class in the return fixture, producing an impressive performance against a lacklustre Central side who had little response to what was thrown at them.