REPORTING on two consecutive midweek groundhops which concluded differently for me.
Both clubs profiled are Step 6 newcomers in the National League System for the current 2025/26 campaign…
AFC North Kilworth 1-0 Leicester St Andrews
(abandoned after 27 minutes due to floodlight failure)
- When: Monday 15th September 2025
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- Where: Persimmon Park, North Kilworth Sports Club, South Kilworth Road, North Kilworth, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 6HF
- Competition: The Capelli Sport Midland Football League Division One
- Attendance: 188
AFC North Kilworth joined the Midland League this season on gaining promotion from the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division. It was a relatively easy 150 mile round trip for me straight up the M1 motorway. North Kilworth itself is a village in South Leicestershire housing 600 residents.
Ground description: Persimmon Park didn’t need much work to attain Step 6 ground grading requirements. =
It already had floodlights and sturdy covered terracing for 100 spectators. Only a seated grandstand needs to be added.
Programme details: A 20 page production complete with an attractive shiny cover.
Contents included welcome notes, the history of visitors Leicester St Andrews, a boardroom column, sponsorship news, a fascinating guest football history article by Martyn Green of ‘The Untold Game’, important safety particulars about the club’s first aid and defibrillator provision, reserve team focus, fixtures/results/appearances, the Midland League Division One table and matchday squads.
The match: On a really windy night, it was 5th versus 11th in the league standings so anyone present holding good football betting knowledge would have fancied a home win. Accordingly, AFC North Kilworth started brightly and opened the scoring after nine minutes. =
Lucas Waring curled over a left wing corner which bounced wickedly into the far side of the net. Home supporters’ cries of “Come on Killy” rang out. But I couldn’t help noticing that one of the floodlight pylons had stopped working and this was casting a giant shadow across the penalty area Leicester St Andrews were attacking. =
Indeed, a visiting striker subsequently went to take a shot at goal and miscued completely whilst shouting: “I can’t see my feet!” It led to the match referee stopping proceedings on 27 minutes to speak to both sets of coaching staff. =
The ref gave it until 8.30pm for the faulty lamp to be repaired. His deadline came and went causing the match to be abandoned. AFC North Kilworth later messaged me to say: “Very sorry for the floodlight. Turns out the high wind coming off the fields knocked the floodlight. We are awaiting someone to come out and fix.”
Jarvis Brook 2-2 Mile Oak
- When: Tuesday 23rd September 2025
- Kick-off: 7.30pm
- Where: Limekiln Playing Fields, Palesgate Lane, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 3HG
- Competition: Premier Sports Southern Combination Football League Division One
- Attendance: 89
Jarvis Brook moved up to Step 6 for 2025/26 having finished runners-up in the Southern Combination Football League Division Two. I had previously covered them for 888sport on Saturday 30th December 2023 when a home game against Hailsham Town was switched to Ringmer AFC’s artificial pitch amid a spell of inclement weather.
I made a mental note that day whereby I would return to watch Jarvis Brook play at their own ground. Anyway, the village of Jarvis Brook has a population of 4,300 and is located on the outskirts of Crowborough. It entailed a 160 mile round trip for me on the M25 and then down the A21 and A26.
Ground description: Access is via a very narrow lane. There is a club car park plus overspill parking in an adjacent field. To achieve Step 6 grading status, Jarvis Brook erected £100,000 LED floodlights, hard standing and a 50-capacity covered terrace (‘The Paul Neale Stand’).
Foundations were in place for delivery of two more stands and permanent perimeter fencing will be installed too.
Programme details: Well worth £1 for a glossy 20 page effort. Articles incorporated histories of Jarvis Brook and opponents Mile Oak, columns by the chairman and manager, a list of committee members, club shop merchandise, kit and ground sponsors, the Southern Combination League Division One table and matchday squads.
The match: As it was 2nd hosting 14th, a home victory would have been predicted by betting enthusiasts in attendance. Following scoreless first half exchanges, the game burst into life. Mile Oak twice took the lead through Chris Whitington (48 minutes) and Brady Ayoola (69 mins). However, Jarvis Brook battled back each time registering goals by George Holman (51 mins) and Connor Edmunds (81 mins). The draw was a fair result overall.
*Photo credit in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
