Silva Double Gives Central Winning Return to Division One

Junior Silva produced an inspired man of the match display off the bench to give Manchester Central their first league win since October.

Following a change of venues ahead of the fixture, Central now had the home advantage and welcomed a good Altrincham Hale side to Seashell’s Trust in their bid to return to the winning column in Division One.

Boss Chris Tomkinson veered away from his five at the back system and switched to a more traditional back four that included Emmanuel Sholabi, Dennis Jerome and Sultan Kasali, as well as regular and captain Daniel Dolling who starting at the right side of defence.

Central lined up with three in midfield, in form Kaine Martin and Nell Noupoue sat in midfield whilst giving first starts to Bamba Fall and Luca Navarro who played just in behind the front two.

The manager went with the striker pairing of Ruben Lawal and Dennis Raposo, hoping that they could help provide the cutting edge in front of goal that his side had lacked for better parts of the season before the Winter break.

The game began in a cagey fashion, with both sides hesitant to get on the ball and create openings. The visitors settled into the game on the ball in the first five minutes without creating much in front of goal, while Central had the first chance of the game with just under ten minutes gone.

The forward duo for Central combined well, as Raposo won the ball high up the pitch, and set Lawal away in the right side of the box. He struck a vicious effort towards the top corner but was matched by a wonderful acrobatic save from the visiting keeper.

Just three minutes later Central carved yet another opening, and perhaps should have scored. Raposo again producing good pressing, nicking the ball off the keeper which left him with a defender to beat on the line but lacked the composure to pick his spot and dragged his effort wide.

Lawal’s afternoon unfortunately ended quicker than he would’ve liked, visibly struggling with a shoulder problem that he could not shake off. Rapid forward Junior Silva replaced Lawal to pair with Raposo up front with just after 15 minutes gone.

With 20 minutes played, Central were on top, and produced another opportunity with Silva involved for the first time. The energetic Silva made a clever, darting run down the right flank who was picked out brilliantly by midfielder Noupoue.

He had a bit of distance to travel after taking a touch, but surprisingly took his shot early on the edge of the box and forced a more comfortable save for the keeper who tipped his effort wide of the post.

The visitors had their first real chance of the match, when their forward was slid in behind Central’s backline. Whiting came out and the forward attempted an audacious dink, but the Central number one was more than equal to it.

It wasn’t until just after the half hour mark that the opening goal arrived, and it came via substitute Junior Silva who could not have missed. Raposo again was involved, linking up with Silva, setting him in behind. The keeper came out seemingly ahead of Silva, but completely missed the ball letting Silva tap it past him and slide the ball into the open net.

No more than Central deserved, who came back from the Winter break full of intent and desire, and it was showing. Tomkinson would argue they should have been ahead by more at this point in the game but scoring the first goal was a pivotal moment and allowed Central to settle.

Just a few minutes later, the visitors tried to strike back as a long ball sent their forward down the right flank. Whiting seemed indecisive as to whether to come out, and in the end, half came out of his goal allowing the forward to lift it over his head, but fortunately for Whiting Jerome was there on the line to bail him out.

The home side, however, were beginning to play much more assured and composed football, this time some good link up play involving Dolling, Raposo and Martin, allowed Martin to set up Silva on the edge of the box who struck a vicious effort towards goal that was always rising over the bar.

The opening goal certainly provoked a reaction from Altrincham Hale who had their chances.

With just five minutes left in the half, the ball again was out on the right, and was played across the box which found an oncoming player, but his effort from 12 yards took an important deflection off Jerome.

Raposo, heavily involved once again, was played in down the right-hand side, and made a direct run at his defender. He chopped inside brilliantly onto his left foot but struck a tame effort towards the near post that was easily collected by the Altrincham Hale keeper.

That capped off an entertaining half of football, which saw Central produce a more familiar performance and held a deserved lead heading into the interval.

Junior Silva made the difference for Central and provided a goal that gave them the confidence to begin to play more quality football, and perhaps should have netted more than once in the first half of play.

There were no changes at the break for either side, as we kicked off for the second period of the game. Altrincham Hale looked to improve on their lacklustre display going forward whilst Central aimed to grab a second to give them a much-needed cushion.

Almost immediately the action resumed, and the visitors were awarded a spot kick following a tussle in the box from a corner. It quickly gave Altrincham Hale the chance to level terms whilst seemingly undoing all of Central’s hard work they did in the first period.

Their taker stepped up but dragged his penalty horribly wide of the left post. Relief for Central as they certainly got away with one, but a start to the half that certainly provoked an instant reaction and got them back playing their stuff.

Four minutes later, the visitors were made to rue their penalty miss as Central doubled their advantage. Once again Silva providing that runner in behind, as he was found well by Bamba Fall down the left channel.

Silva turned and thought quickly, producing a delightful dink over the onrushing keeper from 20 yards to double Central’s lead and to provide the cushion that they were looking for heading into the second half.

From there on in, Central were relatively comfortable, the second goal incited some excellent football in the second half, and glimpses of what Central produced at the beginning of the season.

With just over an hour gone, the home side had the chance to put the game to bed. The ball delivered from the right, dropped kindly to Martin at the back post, but a wild effort saw him smash his shot over the bar from close range and miss out on the chance of a third consecutive league goal.

Navarro growing in confidence, took control of the ball in the middle of the park and played an excellent slide rule ball through to Silva who looked on for the hat-trick, but a wonderful recovery tackle kept him waiting for that third goal.

The next ten minutes of action saw substitutions made by Tomkinson, Raposo, Kasali, Noupoue and Navarro all made way in that period seeing both Jefferson and Ruben Abreu come on, as well as Michael Taiwo and Zak Bell.

The final ten minutes saw little to no opportunities for either side, and ultimately the final whistle blew. Relief certainly for Chris Tomkinson, whose side picked up a much-desired win in Division One, whilst producing a good display showing what his side can do when they are on it.

It also saw a much-improved defensive performance, with all four in the backline producing solid performances, giving Central their first clean sheet since October.

This result meant Central remained in eighth position but moved to within five points of Altrincham Hale who dropped to sixth. Eight points to make up for Central if they wish to reach the promotion places, but it is a good start for Central, not only getting the result, but producing a display that they can build on.

Manchester Central will now look ahead to their next fixture, once again at home to struggling side Hindley Juniors, whilst Altrincham Hale will look to bounce back next weekend, when they host promotion rivals Avenue.