Surf Coast FC one point away from promotion

THE Surf Coast community waits with anticipation to see if Surf Coast FC will earn promotion to State League 3 for the first time since the competition’s inception in 2013.

The Coasters (51 points) had a 2-0 win over Barnstoneworth United last weekend to put themselves 10 points clear of this evening’s (Saturday, August 17) opponents and second-placed Keilor Wolves (41 points).

Surf Coast, led by captain Kreso Jurkovic, only need a draw to obtain direct promotion for 2025 and win the division, but the defender said his group was already viewing the matchup as a final.

“Every weekend is a bit of a final for us because we’re in that last stretch of the pursuit of promotion.

“We’re one step closer than we were, we know each side is trying to make things harder on us by knocking us off, this week is going to be tough too.

“We just need to be confident in our mindset and the style of play we have. We’re looking forward to it.”

The Coasters got the better of the Wolves earlier in the campaign.

Surf Coast defeated Keilor 2-4, on the back of four different goal scorers in Jasmin Ikanovic, Bradley Verrall, Luka Jurkovic and sharpshooter John Pykett.

The side’s skipper described the top-of-the-table clash as the perfect stage for Surf Coast to accomplish the objective the team set for for itself at the start of the year.

“Keilor is a very good side, we’ve had some great games with them in the past, so it’ll be an entertaining game.

“We’ve just got to keep our heads and keep doing what we’re doing. To come to where we have on the back of just missing out on promotion in 2023 is massive for the group.

“It’s been an honour to lead this team in 2024 and hopefully we can reach the heights in front of the home fans.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to do it and we hope as much of the community as possible gets to the game.”

A draw or win would also mean Surf Coast would earn promotion for the first time at any competition level since 2010, when the club was promoted from State Provisional League 1 to State League 4.

Kick off between Surf Coast and Keilor begins on the main pitch at Banyul Warri Reserve at 5pm.