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

East Lodge player-boss Jordan Davies is hoping his side will be placed in the Mid-Solent League top flight in 2021/22.
George Barton, right, scored for East Lodge as they ended their debut Mid-Solent League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Rowner Rovers. Pic: Mike CooterGeorge Barton, right, scored for East Lodge as they ended their debut Mid-Solent League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Rowner Rovers. Pic: Mike Cooter
George Barton, right, scored for East Lodge as they ended their debut Mid-Solent League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Rowner Rovers. Pic: Mike Cooter

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.

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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.

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‘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.

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‘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.’