Ex-QPR Youth Player Wins "Player of The Round" Award...No Camp in QPR Reserve Squad Against Lewes

-
Congratulations to ex-QPR's Dean Lodge for winning the "E.On Player of the Round" award for his four second half goals for Kinsgtonian. (After being released by QPR in 2004, Lodge was at Beckenham Town and Kingstonian, as well as loan Bassingstoke Town"

FA/Glenn Lavery - Dean's honour

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON - E.ON Player of the Round 2008-09 Second Round Qualifying

Kingstonian midfielder Dean Lodge received the 'E.ON Player of the Round' award after his four-goal haul against Braintree Town secured the K's passage into The FA Cup Third Round Qualifying, and the 22-year-old says it is a privilege to receive recognition for his remarkable performance.
All four of Lodge's goals came in the second half and he received 44 per cent of the vote for his efforts, just ahead of Sutton United's Billy Dunn. He also saw off the challenge of three other hat-trick heroes in Martin Tuohy, Danny Harris and Terry Fearns and is the second player to receive the 'E.ON Player of the Round' accolade this season, after Dartford 'keeper Deren Ibrahim picked up the award for his performance in the First Round Qualifying.
"To be voted ‘Player of the Round’ is an honour," Lodge beamed. "I did have a lot of friends - and friends of friends - voting for me, but I must say a big thank you to all the Kingstonian fans, because I think most of our fans voted for me. They even put a link to the poll on their website to encourage more people to vote, so I'm really grateful to them."
With the score goalless at half-time and with the visitors down to ten men, Lodge seized the opportunity and turned in a tremendous 45 minutes, scoring all of Kingstonian's goals in a 4-0 victory, but scoring two of the goals against one of his friends made these particular strikes even more satisfying.
"The four goals came quite quick and they were all a bit of a blur, but I was delighted to get the win and get myself on the scoresheet," he said.
"I played against the Braintree 'keeper - Craig Holloway - a few times when we were younger; I was at QPR and he was at Arsenal and we've stayed in touch. After I scored my first two goals, he went off injured, but I think the real reason was because he didn't want me scoring a hat-trick against him!" he joked.
Kingstonian dreams of FA Cup glory may have been ended by Hayes & Yeading United at the weekend, but when asked for his favourite FA Cup memory of all time, Lodge cited three short sentences that will be revered by every Manchester United fan for generations:
Ryan Giggs' incredible dribble and emphatic finish against the Gunners in the 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final at Villa Park is one of the most iconic goals to ever be scored in The FA Cup and was one of the key contributor's to United's subsequent push to their historic treble.
"I watched that game on TV with a few of my mates who are Arsenal fans and it didn't look good when we went down to ten men," Lodge recalled. "We were all preparing ourselves for penalties and then Giggsy came up with that bit of magic and I was buzzing."
‘Buzzing’ he certainly will be when he takes his place at Wembley Stadium for this season's Final, having won two VIP tickets alongside his ‘E.ON Player of the Round’ award.
"I can't wait," Lodge admitted. "I have never been to Wembley in my life, so that makes the award even sweeter. The closest I've been to the stadium is when I once picked my mum up from across the road!"
In the meantime, Lodge’s focus is firmly fixed on Kingstonian’s push for promotion to the Ryman Premier League. Having scored five league goals so far this season to add to his impressive FA Cup tally, Lodge hopes he can continue his fine form in front of goal as he looks to help the K’s maintain their position at the top of the Ryman Division One South.
"We just missed out on the play-off's last year, but made a few good signings in the summer, and we're going for promotion at the very least. We’ve started well, now we have to make sure we keep that going and I’ll be doing all I can to help us do just that."
The vote for the ‘E.ON Player of the Round’ for the Third Round Qualifying is now open. Click here to submit your vote The 'E.ON Player of the Round' award is presented to the outstanding player at each stage of competition, starting from the First Round Qualifying all the way to the Semi-Final.
'E.ON Player of the Round' winners will receive VIP hospitality for themselves and their guest at The FA Cup Final on Saturday 30 May 2009.
The winner of each award will also be presented with a commemorative trophy. League


Official Site - IN RESERVE: LEWES SQUAD NAMED
QPR Reserves are back in action in the Totesport.com Combination League tomorrow (Wednesday), when Lewes travel to Loftus Road.
Gareth Ainsworth has once again selected a strong squad for the fixture, naming Adam Bolder, Angelo Balanta, Samuel Di Carmine and Damiano Tommasi in his 14 man squad.
The match kicks off at 2.00pm.
Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for Under-16's.
However, Season Ticket holders can enter free of charge, on the production of their booklets. QPR