Report by Kelechi Osunwa

Sorrento claimed a controversial 2-1 win against a spirited Subiaco in their PS4 NPLWA fixture at the WA Athletics Stadium on Saturday.

Already down to 10 men and with the game opening up, Subiaco conceded a penalty when Nathan Diaz was adjudged to have brought down Ryan Pearson in the box.

Coaches Jamie Harnwell (Sorrento) and Gerry McEwan (Subiaco) felt there appeared to be little contact on Pearson, as Sean Canham stepped up to score and break Subiaco’s resolve.

Lions midfielder Matthew Akehurst agreed with the opinion of his coach and described McEwan’s pride at his teams’ character.

“We all think the penalty was very soft, but you’ve seem them given before,” he said.

“We showed a lot of character after the red card and the penalty and we need to keep that going into next week.

“We’ve just started a bit slow and conceded quite early in the games and that’s where we’re letting ourselves down.

“We just need to put together a 90 minute performance and the results will come.”

A lapse in concentration early on from Subiaco gave Sorrento a gift as an unmarked Todd Harnwell bundled home from close range.

The striker surprised a few people by coming out of retirement after hanging the boots up at the end of last season, but coach and brother Jamie is delighted at Todd’s change of heart.

“He’s like wine, he just gets better with age and we hope to keep getting the best from him, ” he said.

“It was hard for him to give it away. He finished second in our best and fairest last season and he’s continuing on again this year.”

Despite a host of early chances, Sorrento could not double the lead by half time, thanks to a combination of poor finishing and a stellar performance from Subiaco goalkeeper Ryan Montgomery.

The Gulls were made to pay as Subaico started the second half brighter and equalised through Daniel Milne minutes into the second half.

Subiaco’s momentum was short-lived as two yellow cards in three minutes to Josh Booysen changed the flow of the game and saw the hosts limited to few attacking opportunities.

And just as it seemed Sorrento would be punished for missed opportunities, Pearson won the penalty and Canham gave the gulls all three points.

Despite the win Harnwell emphasised that if his side were to challenge the likes of Bayswater they would need to improve.

Subiaco AFC 1 (Daniel Milne)
Sorrento FC 2 (Todd Harnwell 2’, Sean Canham 84’)
Saturday, April 11, 2015
WA Athletics Stadium
Referee: Walter Cuotti

Subiaco AFC: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, 2. Nathan DIAZ, 4. Jackson DONGRAY, 5. Mitch STEINBERG, 6. Danny MILNE, 7. Gojam NYUON (3. Ger FITZGERALD 63’), 14. James OLIVER (12. Siyang ZHANG 85’), 9. Ian MCMURRAY, 10. Matt AKEHURST, 11. Joshua BOOYSEN, 15. Jackson DARNELL (16. Isaac KOOMSON 46’)Substitutes not used: 8. Kevin WHITE, 21. Anastasis FARSALAS,
Yellow Cards: Diaz 49’, Booysen 52’ 55’, Milne 84’
Red Cards: Booysen 55’

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN, 10 Jason MIRCO  (8. Ryan PEARSON 65’), 2 Danny CAIN, 4. Shaun KILKELLY , , 9. Todd HARNWELL, 11. Thomas BOSS, 12. Jack EADES, , 16. Niccolo SABATINI, 18. Sean CANHAM  19. Jack SALTER, 20. Brad McDONALD (22. Lewis HALL 70’)
Substitutes not used: 61. Jordan BLANK, 5. Adam LUCA, 15. Razack GELOO
Yellow Cards: Harnwell 80’, Cain 87’
Red Cards: Nil