Surfers coach Alex Morrison slams Nerang counterpart Keith Garland after 1-0 Premier League loss

A RESPECTED Gold Coast football coach has slammed an opposing coach for playing ugly in a shock result that has kept the Premier League finals race alive.

SURFERS Paradise coach Alex Morrison has slammed Nerang counterpart Keith Garland for playing ugly in a Gold Coast Premier League upset that has kept the finals race alive.

Four points clear of the chasing pack heading into Friday night’s battle at Glennon Park, fourth-placed Surfers missed a golden opportunity to put one foot in the playoff door with a surprise 1-0 loss to the Eagles.

While Broadbeach United did them a favour the following day with a 3-0 win away to Coomera, Morrison could not hide his frustration at Nerang’s long-ball tactics post-match.

Surfers Paradise coach Alex Morrison, who was at the helm of the Gold Coast Knights last season. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I’m disappointed, we were the better team. They defended and played 10 men behind the ball and wasted time, the usual Keith Garland thing with the way they play,” Morrison said.

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“They play the long ball really well and are compact (but) not pretty to watch, that’s for sure. It’s a big game against Palm Beach next week for both teams, it’s a big six-pointer as they like to say.

Nerang coach Keith Garland. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Obviously we’ve got to get ourselves ready, get ourselves up for it. We’re still in the driving position (for finals) so next week we can keep ourselves in that position.”

In Round 13 fixtures on Saturday, Gold Coast Knights extended their unbeaten run in the league to 14 games with a 5-0 thumping of Tweed United, while Mudgeeraba ignited hope of climbing off the bottom with a 2-1 win at home to Murwillumbah.

On Thursday night, Burleigh Heads beat Palm Beach 5-0.