Big wins keep clubs on top

Surf Coast FC, Lara United spark hopes of league glory

Surf Coast FC and Lara United both won on the weekend to maintain top spot in their respective State League divisions, fuelling hope that the region will this year celebrate at least one club taking out the title and securing promotion to the higher leagues.

Surf Coast annihilated a hapless Barnestoneworth United 9-0 at Banyul Warri Reserve in Torquay on Saturday night.

John Pykett and Alex Quaynor

both secured hat-tricks, while Luka Jurkovic, Sam Bickett and James Pante all contributed a goal apiece to maintain the Coasters’ twopoint gap at the top of the State League 4 standings.

Having scored a staggering 20 goals in the last three matches, Surf Coast goes into next weekend’s highly anticipated top of the table clash away to second-placed Keilor Wolves, full of confidence the Coasters can increase their gap at the top to five points.

Meanwhile, in State League 5 action, Lara United made it seven wins from seven starts after easily overcoming fourthplaced ETA Buffalo 6-2 at Delahay Reserve in western Melbourne.

Prolific goalscorer Tristan McGrath led the charge with a sensational four-goal haul, ably assisted by his brother Conor and Trinity Mar Ner Soe, who each contributed a goal in the demolition.

Lara coach Eric Lawrence paid tribute to every single member of his squad, emphasising the team spirit that is currently prevalent at the league frontrunners.

“I’m very happy with the composure and class from all 16 players, they all played their part,” Lawrence said.

“It was such a strong team performance and I couldn’t be happier.”

According to Lawrence, the season so far has been “super impressive”, considering six of the opening seven games have been played away from home.

“I couldn’t ask for more from this group,” he said. “We have set really high standards for ourselves, not only on match days, but also at training during the week.

“The boys have just responded so well and constantly bring a high level of fight and a high level of football, week in week out.”

Lara United will return to its

Lara Recreation Reserve home this Friday night, when it hosts sixth-placed Wyndham FC under lights.

“You never know what to expect against Wyndham, but we will prepare for a really tough contest,” Lawrence said.

“We’ll be confident in getting the result we want, but it won’t come easy. We just have to focus on us, continue to play our football to a high standard and the rest will take care of itself.”