AFC Stoneham keen to strengthen friendship with National League neighbours Eastleigh

And The Purples will be happier still if some of the Spitfires fans who made the short trip to sun-drenched Chestnut Avenue return to the Elliotts Arena in the coming months.

The Sydenhams Wessex One outfit are making giant strides both on and off the field, with new floodlights next on their ‘to do’ list.

And rather than being intimated by having a hugely ambitious National League club on their doorstep, they are hoping to share in the feel-good factor Eastleigh are radiating around the area.

Already there is a link between the clubs with the Spitfires using the Elliotts Arena for Wednesday academy matches - and Stoneham chairman Mark Stupple hopes that is just the start of a firm friendship.

“Eastleigh and their chairman Stewart Donald are really trying to stretch out to the local community and, as their next door neighbours, we would love to be part of that and forge a link with them,” he said.

“There were a lot of Eastleigh fans in the crowd last night and it was all very positive.

“It’s nothing like the Silverlake Stadium, but they seemed impressed with our admittedly small ground and I've had a few emails this morning asking to see our fixture list so they can come and watch Stoneham when Eastleigh are away.

“We’d only need 25 or 30 Eastleigh fans turning up and that would make a massive difference to us, almost doubling our crowd."

Eastleigh won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from new signing Scott Wilson from Weston-super-Mare and Yemi Odubade.

Both sides had penalties saved with trialist Mark Childs doing the honours for Eastleigh and Stoneham 'keeper Sam Whieldon keeping the Spitfires at bay from 12 yards.

"It was a great night, we couldn't have asked for more, and we really appreciate Eastleigh coming down," said Stupple.

Stoneham's next friendly is at home to Hellenic Premier outfit Oxford City Nomads on Saturday, July 16.

*More on AFC Stoneham and all the latest non-League news in this weekend’s Pink.