Report by Bianca Niederberger

Sorrento shook off their recent form slump with a goal-scoring frenzy - led by Reece Vittiglia - in a 6-1 win over Perth Glory in yesterday’s National Premier Leagues WA match at Percy Doyle Reserve.

Vittiglia was the star of the show with an impressive four-goal haul in a contest that turned the Gulls’ way after an early setback.

Pictured: Reece Vittiglia. Photo: Peter Simcox

The visitors had taken a ninth-minute lead when Gian Albano took on three Sorrento defenders and scored past Curtis Apsden.

After Ryan Barker saved a shot from Chris Reid his day headed downhill as Razack Geloo found the equaliser from close range.

Vittiglia scored his first soon after when he slipped the ball past Barker.

Slob Vulin was instrumental in the midfield for Glory, feeding the likes of Bor Bor Sambindi and Albano but defensively they were unable to hold off the unrelenting attack from their hosts.

Sorrento’s third goal came after an amazing attempt by Niccolo Sabatini to keep the ball in play for Vittiglia to find his second in the form of an awkward overhead kick, which headed for the back post before deflecting into the goal.

Albano had another chance early in the second half after a mistake by Daryl Platten gave him space and time and what looked to be a certain goal. But he was unable to make the most of the chance to Platten’s relief.

Sorrento twice hit the cross bar – through Sean Canham and Mirco – in the space of 30 seconds.

Minutes later, Vittiglia set up Canham, who was fouled and a penalty was awarded. Vittiglia’s spot-kick was saved by Barker but the on-fire Gulls attacker pounced on the rebound to complete his hat-trick.

Glory were then reduced to 10 men when Jack Oldham picked up a second booking. The home side kept up the momentum and Harnwell played through to Vittiglia, who timed his close-range strike with precision.

It was all Sorrento for the last twenty minutes as Glory struggled to cope. Harnwell was rewarded for his persistent efforts with a goal in injury time.

Co-coach Jamie Harnwell was pleased with the performance after some recent disappointment.

“We saw a lot of improvement today,” he said. “We gave away a bad goal again today, which is what we have been doing in our last few games. But we worked hard, we pressed well, we kept the ball (and) we played some good football.

“We’re still working on our defending – we would’ve liked a clean sheet today. On the flipside, we looked dangerous going forward. We’re always going to score goals, we just have to stop conceding them.”

Sorrento 6 (Geloo 18, Vittiglia 28, 37, 61, 68, Harnwell 90+3)
Perth Glory (Albano 9)
Saturday 2nd August, 2014
Percy Doyle Reserve
Attendance: approx. 150
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: David Bruce
Assistant Referees: Tom Dowell, Oliver Allen

Sorrento: 1. Curtis ASPDEN (gk), 22. Ryan PEARCE, 6. Daryl PLATTEN, 7. James MORGAN (c) (8. Brodie MARTIN 71’), 9. Todd HARNWELL, 10. Jason MIRCO, 14. Chris REID, 15. Razack GELOO, 16. Niccolo SABATINI (4. Shaun KILKELLY 79’), 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 18. Sean CANHAM (13. Steve McDONALD 79’)
Substitutes not used: 61. Jesse WAGENER, 5. Adam LUCA
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil

Perth Glory: 1. Ryan BARKER, 18. Josh TUCKER, 3. Rocco PIZZATA (13. Matt NTOUMENOPOLOUS 56’), 4. David STOKOE, 5. Jack OLDHAM, 6. Blamo QUA QUA, 17. Bor Bor SAMBINDI, 8. Jacob COLLARD, 9. Gian ALBANO, 10. Slob VULIN, 11. Nic TALIMDZIOSKI
Substitutes not used: 12. Hannig GHAZALI, 14. Anthony BAFOBUSHA, 15. Mark BARNETT, 20. Luke RADONICH
Yellow cards: Jack OLDHAM 61’, Matt NTOUMENOPOLOUS 72’
Red cards: Jack OLDHAM 64’