By: Ryan REYNOLDS

(Courtesy of the Geelong Advertiser)

LARA United coach Hayden Coombes believes his side’s 3-1 win over Surf Coast on Sunday in the Geelong Region Men's Division 1 competition can be the catalyst for a late season surge.

PHOTO: Action from last Sunday's Lara United-Surf Coast clash (Photo: Soccer Shots Photography - Bec Horrocks)

United ended a six-game losing streak — plagued by injuries and unavailability — with the confidence-boosting victory.

And with the fixture now opening up for Lara, a push up the Geelong Region Division 1 ladder isn’t out of the question.

United plays six of the final seven games at home, a pitch they rarely lose on.

“It’s something that we take pretty well. We like to play at home, we rarely lose at home,” Coombes said.

“We’ve only lost one game at home this season and that was to (premiership favourite) Barwon . I honestly think the boys will take the confidence of our win into next week. We need to keep pushing forward now.”

Lara’s three goals all came in the opening half. James Cogan opened the scoring before completing a brace after getting on the end of a free kick from halfway and heading home.

Colin Pollock completed the scoring after taking on a few players and slotting home coolly . Surf Coast’s second half goal came from the penalty spot.

In other games at the weekend , Barwon enjoyed a 4-2 victory over Drysdale at Howard Glover Reserve to maintain its spot at the top of the Division 1 ladder.

The league leader got away to a flyer with Craig Cameron-Smith netting in the opening five minutes.

Drysdale pounced towards the end of the half to level the scores, before taking a 2-1 lead with just 15 minutes to go.

It turned out to be the kick in the backside Barwon needed.

Cameron-Smith found the back of the net from the penalty spot before Liam Foilet put away two brilliant set pieces to give his side the win.

Robert Armstrong scored a brace in his first game of 2017, helping guide Barwon Heads to a stunning 3-2 win over Surfside Waves.

Paul Komis netted for Barwon Heads, too, while captain Jack Pedler and Alexander Ketchen were on target for the Waves.

Geelong Rangers moved into third with a 5-0 hammering of winless FC Leopold.

Ben Noble scored to take his season’s tally to 10, while Zac Harry’s brace and goals to Darren McCallum and Nick Hogan rounded out the win.

Breakwater Eagles collected a 3-0 win over Deakin Ducks to keep their chase of Barwon heading in the right direction.

Ben Duthie, Cailen Lee and Jack Wilson all scored.

Chris Appleford was given his marching orders after receiving a red card.