AFC STONEHAM limbered up for tomorrow's (Tuesday) prestige home friendly against Eastleigh by seeing off higher league opposition.

Tim Cole's Purples overcame Southern Combination Premier Division outfit Arundel 2-1 on Saturday with goals from new signing Matty Brewer – formerly of Totton & Eling - and Sergio Caballero.

Stoneham have a busy evening planned tomorrow at their newly-named HP Arena, named after main sponsors HP Contracts.

Prior to taking on Richard Hill’s Vanarama National League thoroughbreds Eastleigh (7.45pm kick-off), the Purples will be showcasing their first-team players of the future, aged 6-9, in small-sided demonstration games, starting at 6.15pm.

Then at half-time during the main game, Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh, will officially switch on Stoneham’s new £40,000 floodlights.

Made possible by a £28,323 grant from the Premier League, delivered through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), the new lights will help the Sydenhams One club meet the FA national ground grading criteria for their current Step 6 level.

The improvements will benefit the whole club, which currently boasts over 30 teams, aged four right through to adults.

“We are extremely grateful to both Eastleigh FC for arranging the fixture and to Mims Davies for joining us on the night and agreeing to officially switch the new lights on,” said AFC Stoneham chairman Mark Stupple.

“The funding and support from the FSIF was vital in being able to install the brand new lights, which will enable the club to grow further."

With coach Carl Whittington standing down after three years to concentrate on fatherhood, Stoneham last week appointed former Totton & Eling boss James Phillips to work alongside Cole in a coaching/assistant capacity. Charles Chiguvare and goalkeeper coach Dale Clist complete the Purples’ management team.

One piece of negative news is a serious injury to popular goalkeeper Sam Whieldon who broke his leg while working as a tree surgeon.

Stoneham have also lost Ashley Ledger, Ben Clarke and Chris Morris from last season but, on the up side, club stalwart Liam Hall has returned from Alresford Town and they have signed ex-Blackfield and Whitchurch midfielder Sam Floyd.

Admission tomorrow is £6 adults (including programme), £3 concessions, £2 under-16s and free for under-12s with a fee-paying adult.