Saturday 2nd November 2024
Larkfield & New Hythe v Erith & Belvedere
Presence & Co Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
3.00pm kick off
Eden Estates Stadium, 251a New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, Kent, ME20 6PU

Following an heroic performance from a young Deres side midweek we return back to league action when we take on Larkfield & New Hythe for the first time.

Here are the details for tomorrow's game

Admission Prices
Adults - £8
Concession rates are available

Match Officials
Referee - Mitchell Bush
Assistant Referees - Thomas Sansom & Jason Robinson

Getting to the Game
By Car
Coming from M2
Take exit 2 on the M2 at the first roundabout take the 1st exit onto M2 towards W.Malling & Rochester then at the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Sundridge Hill towards W.Malling & Snodland. In 2.1 miles at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Halling by-pass. Then in 1 mile at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Holborough Road, then in 1.7 miles at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto Malling Road. In 0.4 miles turn left onto Leybourne Way, then right onto Gighill Road, left onto Chaucer Way, right onto Fielding Drive then left staying on Fielding Drive then take a right and the ground will be on your right

Coming from M20
Take the M20 exit onto the A228, keep left onto Castle Way and turn right onto Leybourne Way then follow the same directions as above

By Public Transport
New Hythe is the closest National Rail station and the ground is a one mile walk from there.

The Opposition
Club Name: Larkfield & New Hythe
Eden Estates Stadium, 251a New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, Kent, ME20 6PU
Distance from Park View Road (Round Trip): 47.2 miles
Colours: Yellow & Black
Manager: Danny Lye
Last Season: 2nd (SCEFL Division One)

History
Larkfield & New Hythe Football Club were formed in 1961 and purchased its current ground in 1967. Originally the club had men’s teams playing in the Maidstone and District Saturday and Sunday leagues.

In 2012, John Michel, the Chairman of Larkfield & New Hythe FC, and Adam Handy, the Chairman of Larkfield FC, were instrumental in merging the two clubs for the mutual benefit of all the teams and the community. Larkfield FC, who were established in 1976, have over 30 teams consisting of youth teams of both boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 18, and also a Ladies team. This merger created a pathway for the youth players to play adult football and allowed the clubhouse facilities to be used by all.

The club was awarded the FA Charter Community standard status in 2015 and has an ethos to grow and support the club in the local community while promoting the success of all the teams.

The men’s team were accepted into the Kent County League in 1996 and remained in Division 2 East for many seasons. A very strong team in 2016 just missed out on promotion but was successful in winning their first silverware in the Les Leckie Cup beating Rolvenden FC 3-2.

In 2020, the club was promoted to Division 1 of the Kent County League, and a new sponsor, committee, and management team was put in place to push the club for further promotion and ultimately into SCEFL. The plan was going very well with the team 7 points clear at the top of the league when COVID-19 brought the season to an end. However, the club was undeterred and continued to upgrade the stadium to the level required for SCEFL Division 1 with new floodlights, seated and covered standing.

Season 2021/22 and the club’s hard work paid off as they were accepted into the Southern Counties East Football League Division 1 at Step 6 of the non-league pyramid. In the first season, the club had a tremendous effort finishing third in the league and reaching the playoff final, after beating Snodland in the first play-off game 1-0 in front of a then-record crowd of 501. Unfortunately, the final was lost 2-1 AET to Sutton Athletic.

Season 2022/23 started well and for much of the time the ‘Larks’ were head to head with Snodland, but unfortunately, the form dipped towards the end of the season and ended up finishing 5th and losing out again in the playoffs. The club also had its best season ever in the FA Vase reaching the third round proper.

Off the pitch improvements continued with a £100k clubhouse extension which was officially opened by MP Tracey Crouch in February 2023. Significant partner funding by the Football Stadia funds, KCC, and Kent FA made this possible.

Season 2023/24, and the management team of Danny Lye and Michael Philips built a new squad, which finally got them promotion at the third attempt. Their highest finish ever coming second and once again into the playoffs. An epic semi-final win 13-12 on penalties against Lewisham saw them play at home to Staplehurst in the final. A narrow 1-0 win in front of a record crowd of 835 got them promoted and into the Premier division for the very first time.

At the end of 2023, the club signed a deal for a new stadium with 3G playing and training pitches, a new clubhouse, and a 250-seater stand, all of which should be ready within 2 years.

Up the Larks!

Head to Head
First meeting of the two clubs

Elsewhere in the League
All Kick Offs are 3.00pm unless stated

Friday
SCEFL Premier Division
Punjab United v Faversham Town - 7.45pm

Saturday
SCEFL Premier Division
Bearsted v Fisher
Hollands & Blair v Tunbridge Wells
Kennington v Holmesdale
Lydd Town v Glebe
Rusthall v VCD Athletic
Stansfeld v Lordswood
Sutton Athletic v Snodland Town
Whitstable Town v Corinthian

SCEFL 1st Division
Bridon Ropes v Rochester United
Canterbury City v Soul Tower Hamlets
Croydon v Forest Hill Park
Faversham Strike Force v Staplehurst Monarchs
Greenways v Clapton Community
Halls AFC v Meridian VP
Lewisham Borough v Welling Town
SC Thamesmead v FC Elmstead
Tooting Bec v Sheppey Sports