Promotion within arm’s reach for Coasters

SURF Coast Football Club is keeping its excitement under wraps until promotion to State League 3 is solidified with just a handful of games remaining in the State League 4 West season, according to the club’s senior manager.

Denis Holtgrefe and his team sit on the verge of a promotion, a task the club fell narrowly short of in 2023, nine points clear of second placed Melton with five matches to play.

The Coasters will enjoy a weekend off this week, but business resumes next weekend with an away clash against a struggling Barnstoneworth United.

“I think our success this season is plainly due to the dedication of the group, from taking recovery seriously, to enjoying training together, and enjoying each other’s company,” Holtgrefe said.

“They’re following through on what we’re trying to do which is to play good football and getting the ball to move around the pitch.

“Not to mention getting another three points against Barwon Soccer Club last weekend.”

Should Surf Coast come away with the win next weekend, it would set the stage for a potential league-clinching matchup with Keilor Wolves on Saturday, August 17 at home.

 

 

Holtgrefe expects Surf Coast goal-machine Joe Pykett to return from a nagging foot injury next weekend and has also lauded the integration of mid-season signings Riel Mayuom and Mylton Bailey who both arrived from Geelong Rangers and Barwon Soccer Club respectively.

Pre-season signing Alex Quaynor returned to Great Britain earlier in the season and Yunosuke Hara is the most recent mid-season signing to join the group.

Surf Coast’s gaffer said he will maintain his side’s focus on what is in front of them, obtaining three points from Barnstoneworth in a week’s time.

“We understand where we sit on the ladder, the table is no secret, the path to promotion is no secret, we know where we are at and we know what we need to do,” Holtgrefe said.

“The way we get there is only by continuing what we started during the first training session of the season, focusing on a dedicated approach to how we want to play football.

“When people come to watch us, we hope we can display what we’ve been working on all year.”

Surf Coast FC’s next home game against Keilor will be at Banyul Warri Fields on August 17 at 5pm.