East Lodge’s plea to Mid-Solent League officials: Let us compete with the top teams next season

League officials are expected to create two divisions next season with Fratton Trades and Harvest Reserves being voted in.

There could also be a Burrfields reserve team, but Division 1 champions-elect Meon Milton are hoping to be accepted into the Hampshire Premier League.

If all that happens, the league will have a total of 15 teams - two more than in 2020/21.

The MSL was split into two divisions once lockdown restrictions were lifted at the end of March, in order to ensure seasons could be completed on a home and away basis.

Lodge, in their first season in adult football after winning the MSL Under-18 division in 2019/20, finished runners-up to Carberry in a six-team Division 2.

In their final game Lodge defeated Rowner Rovers 3-1, despite only having a squad of 11 players.

‘We had to work hard,’ said Davies. ‘But we pressed high and fully deserved to win - I think 3-1 flattered Rowner, it could have been four or five.’

Andy Fitzgerald put Lodge in front with Rovers levelling before half-time.

A George Barton penalty restored Lodge’s advantage in the second half before Taylor Davies added a late third.

‘We’re happy with second place,’ said Jordan Davies

‘I don’t know what the league are going to do, but I’d definitely like to be in Division 1 next season.

‘We’d really look forward to it, and I think we could compete with the top teams.

‘We only lost 3-1 to Meon Milton in our first game and we were all over them for the first half-hour.

‘Then we only lost 2-0 to Mob Albion and that was a really competitive game.

‘We might lose a couple to University, but I’m sure we’d have just as strong a squad next season, if not stronger, if the league allow us up.’