By: Lachlan SHIRLEY

SURF COAST and CORIO are set to face off on Friday night (tonight), to kick off Round 10 of the Geelong Region Men’s Division 1 competition, with only three points separating the two sides on the ladder.

PHOTO: Hume Reserve in Bell Park will be the scene for the Friday night blockbuster between Corio SC and Surf Coast

Surf Coast most recently came away with a win after they defeated Lara 2-0 last round, while Corio’s last game was a draw against Deakin Ducks, when the result was 2-2.

The Coasters are in 4^th spot on the current standings with 15 points, while Corio is in 6^th position with 12 points. If Surf Coast comes away with the victory the Torquay side will open up a six point advantage over Corio. If Corio wins, however, the Eagles will be on level points with Surf Coast.

The game will be contested at Corio’s Hume Reserve complex in Bell Park. Kick off is set down for 8:30pm.

Also on Friday night, SURFSIDE WAVES will host DRYSDALE at Shell Road Reserve in Ocean Grove. In the previous round, Surf Coast came away with an emphatic 8-1 win over Barwon Heads, while Drysdale defeated bottom side Breakwater Eagles 2-0.

On the current standings, Surfside is 2^nd on the table with 18 points while Drysdale holds down 5^th spot with 13 points. The visitors will be desperate to knock on the door of the Top Four.

On Sunday afternoon, third last LARA UNITED will host second bottom BARWON HEADS at the Lara Recreation Reserve. Last week, Lara was defeated 2-0 by Surf Coast, while Barwon Heads was thumped 8-1 by Surfside.

Lara will be hoping to get its season back on track as it has won just three matches from the opening nine rounds. Likewise, it will be an important game for Barwon Heads as the Hammerheads have managed only two wins and a draw so far this campaign.

Over at Grovedale Reserve, BARWON will take on the DEAKIN DUCKS in the local derby. Last round Barwon was defeated by competition pacesetters Geelong Rangers 2-1, while the Ducks shared the spoils with Corio.

Deakin will be hoping to come home with all three points to stay amongst the top three, while Barwon will need the three points to keep up with the rest of the teams higher above it on the table.

To complete Round 10, GEELONG RANGERS will host BREAKWATER EAGLES in a real ‘David versus Goliath’ clash at Myers Reserve.

It will be a tough game for Breakwater as Rangers are yet to drop points this season, while the Eagles are in a completely opposite situation with the best result they have had this season being a draw.

Lachlan Shirley is a young SEDA student, currently doing work experience with FFV Geelong. He will be compiling regular weekly reports on the Geelong Region Men’s and Women’s Division 1 competitions.