Report by Ellie Blackmore

Two early goals were enough for Balcatta to earn a 2-1 win over Sorrento despite a valiant second-half effort from the home side at Percy Doyle Reserve.

Balcatta’s Luke Randazzo and James Sammut scored in the first 20 minutes before a magnificent, long range shot from Adam Luca put some fight back into the Gulls in the second half.

Although a contender for goal of the season, it was not enough to take the points from Ramon Falzon’s Balcatta side, who were glad to have a win after struggling to post victories early in the season.

“Our last win was over a month ago so we needed to get back to a winning place,” he said.

“It is very important that we start winning to start climbing in the standings.

“Our objective always was to challenge, so to challenge we need to be in those top three or four spots.”

Both teams struggled to break through early before Sammut converted a free kick to give Balcatta the upper hand in the 17th minute.

Balcatta continued to press as Randazzo doubled their lead when he slotted through the legs of Sorrento keeper James Morgan just three minutes later.

Tension built as the game approached half time with four yellow cards handed out before the break.

Sorrento came out firing in the second half but failed to make the most of their opportunities.

Balcatta keeper Clint Davies was forced into a diving save to keep out a long shot from Brad Macdonald on 62 minutes.

Luca went one better four minutes later, this time beating Davies to make it 2-1.

A number of free kicks and corners handed Sorrento plenty of opportunities late in the game but they could not take advantage.

Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell felt his team dominated most of the game and was disappointed they could not capitalise on their chances.

“We didn’t deserve to lose,” he said.

“I thought for 70 odd minutes we were the best side and we created chances, we just didn’t take them which has pretty much been the story of our season so far.”

Sorrento FC 1 (Luca 67min)
Balcatta FC 2 (Sammut 18 min, Randazzo 21)
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Percy Doyle Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant referees: Colin Duncan; Liviu Katona.

Sorrento FC: 1. James MORGAN, 2. Danny CAIN (21. Jordan DODD 72), 5. Adam LUCA (9. Todd HARNWELL 85), 6. Daryl PLATTEN,  11. Thomas BOSS, 12. Jack EADES, 13. Steven MACDONALD (C), 18. Sean CANHAM, 19. Jack SALTER, 20. Brad MACDONALD, 22. Lewis HALL.
Substitutes not used: 14. Shaun KILLKELLY, 17. Ahadi ABANDELWA, 60. Jordan BLANK.
Yellow cards: Canham 14 min, Cain 40.
Red cards: Nil.

Balcatta FC: 1. Clint DAVIES, 3. Keiron STALLARD, 4.Alexsander SULESKI, 5. Adam TONG (C), 6. Luke RANDAZZO, 7. James SAMMUT, 11. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 15. Marc DE FRANCESCH, 17. Keiran COLWELL, 20. Patrick QUINN (14. Steve SOKOL 57), 50. Blamo QUAQUA (10. Adrian CACERES 69).
Substitutes not used: 16. Dejan ANDRIC, 21. Kyle MACDONALD, 23. Marc ZAGAMI.
Yellow cards: Stallard 31min, Colwell 33.
Red cards: Nil.