Match Information
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Allexton & New Parks 1-2 Coventry Copsewood
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When: Bank Holiday Monday 26th August 2024
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: New College Leicester Learning & Sports Village Football Centre, Glenfield Road, New Parks, Leicester, Leicestershire LE3 6DN
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Competition: Midland League Division One
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Attendance: 64
One of the most fascinating Non-League topics concerns teams promoted from Regional Feeder Leagues to the National League System which starts at Step 6 of our Pyramid.
I believe it signifies an elevation out of recreational football – based solely on player participation – to spectator football.
Therefore, clubs must upgrade facilities significantly incorporating floodlights, a fully enclosed and railed pitch, hard standing, covered accommodation and seating etc. So by visiting these venues, it is interesting to assess the advancements being made off the field.
One such side this season are Allexton & New Parks FC who are newcomers in the Midland League Division One having won the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division title during 2023/24 amassing a nine points cushion ahead of second spot.
They were originally founded in 1996 initially as a junior outfit in the New Parks area of Leicester meeting at the Allexton Youth and Community Centre… hence the club’s title combining both the Allexton and New Parks components.
Nowadays a total of 27 teams serve more than 350 players aged five years upwards progressing towards their adult ranks. New Parks itself is a suburb housing 17,000 residents three miles to the north-west of Leicester. Bearing everything in mind, I set off on the 200 mile round trip.
After making lengthy groundhopping excursions to Mousehole in Cornwall and Cumbrian outpost Holker Old Boys in recent weeks, it was a relatively short Bank Holiday drive for me. And since decent sunny weather was forecast, my wife and five year old daughter came along for a day out.
Ground Description
The venue opened in October 2010 forming part of a praiseworthy £12 million city-wide financial investment strategy to deliver enhanced grassroots football amenities across Leicester.
It was a joint venture between Leicester City Council and the Leicestershire & Rutland County FA attracting Football Foundation assistance and other funding. Two different car parks are available on matchdays.
A spacious pavilion contains six changing rooms, office and storage space plus a clubroom/snack bar for main partner club Allexton & New Parks. The designated Midland League arena is floodlit and railed off with dug-outs.
A new turnstile block has been installed whilst covered terracing behind one goal accommodates 50 spectators. No doubt a seated grandstand will be added soon to meet those stringent Step 6 ground grading requirements.
An adjacent full-size floodlit 3G artificial pitch can be split into three separate areas for training or small sided matches. In addition, seven outside grass pitches cater for youth football.
This embraces hosting the Leicester City Schools Football Association’s Primary School League and all representative teams from under-11s to under-16s. I also spotted tennis courts at one end of the complex.
Programme Details
A homespun duplicated effort on sale at £2 in the clubroom. Consisting of eight pages including editorial notes, history of both teams, sponsorship details and the line-ups.
The Match
Featuring 20th versus 9th in the Midland League Division One standings. The last time I saw Copsewood play was under their previous name of Coventry Marconi FC.
Seeking an elusive first win of the campaign at the seventh attempt, Allexton & New Parks took control courtesy of a Ryan Charles penalty conversion on 24 minutes.
They led until half-time and anyone possessing good football betting and live betting knowledge would have fancied a home triumph.
However, Coventry Copsewood rallied beyond the break to claim victory via goals by Ryan Pedley (54 minutes) and Sean Kavanagh (62 minutes).
I sensed a great family feel with lots of youngsters watching the action. Furthermore, a number of local lads enjoyed a kick about on the adjoining 3G surface throughout the afternoon.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
