COASTERS TURN IT AROUND

FOUR WINS IN PURPLE PATCH

SURF Coast goes into tomorrow’s home clash with second-placed Altona North in a purple patch that has seen it win its past four matches.

It is a big change of fortune for the Torquay-based State League 4 outfit, which failed to record a single victory in its opening six games.

Coach Adonis Markoulis is putting the transformation down to a number of factors.

“To be honest, I think we have played some easier opponents over the past month,” Markoulis said.

“But we have implemented a new system and the younger boys are really stepping up. So it is a combination of things coming together nicely.”

The Coasters have been boosted with the mid-season signing of experienced central midfielder Matt Humphries.

“Matt used to play for Surf Coast before. He went to Rangers last year and has also had previous experience at NPL youth level with North Geelong. He wanted more game time and was keen to try his luck with us,” Markoulis said.

“He’s a good player, just needs to build up his confidence. A very technically gifted player who can use both feet, he just needs to get some games under his belt.”

The return from work commitments of central midfielder Rhys Manning and centre-back Hayden Voss will further boost the Coasters in the second half of the season, while star striker Francois