Report by Peter Simcox

Pictured: Sorrento's Reece Vittiglia and ECU Joondalup's Kevin Moon in action

ECU Joondalup have taken out local bragging rights with a 3-0 win against Sorrento in the Northern Derby at the ECU Football Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Second half goals to Tommy Amphlett and a brace from Scottish striker Gordon Smith gave them a comprehensive win.

Coach Dale McCulloch said it was good all-round team performance, and they were determined to kick on from last week’s win.

“It was a real good team performance from the whole squad today, even the players coming off the bench were good, which is pleasing, and it keeps the momentum we gained from last week’s win against Inglewood,” he said.

“We made four changes to the side this week, and we’re only going to get better as a team, so we told to the players after the game that’s the standard they have set and we want to continue it.”

McCulloch gave debuts to three new players and said they performed well, but praised a solid defensive display.  

“With new players it sometimes takes time to gel, but it shows the quality we’ve brought in, and they have fitted into the system so well,” he said.    

“We defended well as Sorrento are dangerous from set-pieces but I thought we limited them to few chances and the back five were outstanding today.”

Jayden Drummond played his first game in the NPL, after signing from Kingsley in the Consolidated Energy Amateur League, and he said it was good start to his career at the club.

“It was good to get my first 90 minutes in the NPL under my belt, but it’s more important we got the win and keep the momentum going,” he said.

“I was bit nervous at the start, but once the game got going I just got on with it and was happy to put a good shift in.”

Sorrento’s new import signing Matthew Sparrow missed the game, as the former Scunthorpe United and Brighton midfielder’s international clearance didn’t come through in time.

The game was vital for both sides, who have top four ambitions, and it was the visitors who went close early.

A corner wasn’t dealt with by ECU and the ball fell to Brad McDonald on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot was superbly saved low to his left by Lewis Italiano.

The home side lifted and Gordon Smith had a perfect opportunity to level on 18 minutes, when he was sent clear by Kevin Moon, he rounded the keeper but took the ball too wide and the chance was gone.

Reece Vittiglia was a constant threat down the left, and his low shot on the half hour was well saved by Italiano.

But it was ECU who ended the half the better, with new Scottish midfielder Moon and Drummond both impressing.

Sorrento defender Ryan Pearson was lucky to stay on the park late in the half, after a crude tackle on Drummond was only given a yellow card by referee Steven Gregory.

But 11 minutes into the second half the home side found the break through. Moon and Gordon Smith combined to free Amphlett, who finished well past James Morgan.

It was 2-0 moments later, Andy Higgins’ corner picked out the unmarked Gordon Smith who headed home from close-range.

Sorrento were struggling in the final third, but should have pulled one back on 77 minutes. Steven McDonald’s header back across goal found Sean Canham, but with the goal at his mercy the big striker blazed over.

The visitors pressed, but couldn’t find a way past an ECU defence, with skipper Ryan Lowry and his centre back partner Rikki Smith outstanding.

But with Sorrento pressing forward ECU were finding holes at the back. Gordon Smith volleyed over, before Shane Pickering fired inches wide from Paddy Doyle’s cross.

Then in stoppage time ECU added a third, when Steven McDonald brought down Gordon Smith, and the Scottish striker picked himself up to score from the resulting penalty.

Sorrento return home next weekend when they host Floreat Athena at Percy Doyle Reserve, while ECU Joondalup hit the road to take on Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

ECU Joondalup 3 (Amphlett 56min, Smith 58, 93 pen)
Sorrento 0
Saturday 11th June 2016
Venue: ECU Football Stadium, Joondalup
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistants: Zac Piccicacco and Adrien Liechti

ECU Joondalup: GK Lewis ITALIANO, 2 Ryan LOWRY, 3 Rikki SMITH, 4 Steven MCGARRY, 5 Andy HIGGINS, 8 Jon HIGGINS (15 Cian HIRRELL 53’), 10 Gordon SMITH, 11 Jayden DRUMMOND, 13 Tommy AMPHLETT (12 Paddy DOYLE 85’), 18 Henry DURR, 19 Kevin MOON (6 Shane PICKERING 71’)
Subs not used: RGK Todd HOYLE, 9 James OWEN
Yellow cards: Drummond 61’

Sorrento: GK James MORGAN, 5 Billy QUINNCROFT (21 Jordan DODD 71’), 7 Alex MORGAN, 8 Ryan PEARSON, 9 Sean CANHAM, 11 Tim HILL (27 Brody KENNEDY 80’), 13 Steven MCDONALD, 16 Niccolo SABATINI, 17 Reece VITTIGLIA, 18 Jordan BROWN, 20 Brad MCDONALD (10 Scott BULLOCH 71’)
Subs not used: RGK Brynn HINDLEY, 29 Razack GELOO
Yellow cards: Pearson 43’