HISTORY will be made on Wednesday when Overton United will play their first game under the floodlights at their Bridge Street Ground.

Winchester Castle will be the visitors to the village for an Andover Open Cup tie and the games kicks-off at 7.30pm.

There is an open invitation to all ex players/managers and supporters to come down and enjoy the milestone in the club's history.

The installation of the floodlights at Bridge Street ground commenced on November 28 and were switched on for the first time on December 15.

The quest to put up floodlights at the ground started in 1993, when Overton Recreation Centre generously agreed to the football club's request.

Planning permission was sought and obtained from the Council and it was estimated at that time that the cost would be £25,000.

The first major fundraising for this was a sponsored bike ride from Overton (in Scotland) to Overton.

The team of cyclists were Adrian Gibbons, Gary Gibbons, Andy Willicombe, Steve Rowles, Steve Williams and Colin Phillimore and their back up team of Ray Taylor and John Phillimore.

They raised a total in sponsorship of £2,711 of which £700 was donated to another charity and the balance put into the floodlight fund.

Overton re-applied for planning permission in March 2016 which was passed in October.

The final cost is likely to be approx £60,000 due to the larger foundations needed at the river end plus the cost of shields fitted to all the lights as laid down in the planning consent (Local Bat Community Protection) This project has been funded by Overton United with thanks also should go to Adrian Gibbons, Kevin Ratcliffe, Graham Ferris, Dave Osmond and Philip Wheeler for their assistance during the installation work.

Midweek games will be on a Wednesday leaving the Tennis Club the use of the facilities on the remaining evenings.

The club would like to say a big thanks to all those people who have contributed towards this major landmark, but looking forward, we need the next generation to step up and manage the football to cricket transition at the end of each season.

If you would be interested in helping to support the club financially or getting involved in any way then please contact Adrian Gibbons on 07732 780080.

Overton United will have the chance of quick revenge, when they face Winchester Castle in an Andover Open Cup tie under their new floodlights on Wednesday evening in the Andover Open Cup.

The sides clashed last Saturday with Castle winning 3-2 in the Hampshire Premier League at Overton.

The home side took the lead after 20 minutes as Laith Aldoori slide the ball into Johnie Gurney for him to score.

Castle levelled things on the half hour, after a mix-up in the Overton defence saw an own goal off Richard Spiers and Castle made it 3-1 after the break.

Chasing the game the home side went with two up top and sub Nathan Rae scored.

A late tackle on a Overton player saw a melee and home sub James Jupp along with Winchester’s Nathan Golden was sent-off.

The home side looked for an equaliser, but were unable to score. After the game manager Greg Restell said: “It was great to see us scoring some goals, we just have to tighten up the defence.”

On Saturday, Overton have a trip to Hampshire Premier League basement side Stockbridge.

Then on Wednesday they face Castle again and Restell said: “We are really looking forward to playing under the lights for the first time and after Saturday I think it will be another great game. Lets hope we get the win this time.”