Report by Adrian Klein

Perth Glory’s new recruit goalkeeper Nick Feely was vital in their narrow 1-0 victory over Sorrento at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday.

Joe Knowles’ 52nd minute strike gave Glory the edge before a string of fine saves from Feely helped his side secure their third win of the season.

Perth Glory coach John Gibson congratulated his side on their persistence in the dying minutes of the game.

“We were playing for that last five or 10 minutes and that’s where you show a lot of character,” he said.

“We stood a lot of pressure at the end there against a tough and unique opposition. We were in full belief and it’s been fantastic for these guys for their development.”

It was Glory’s Gian Albano that had the first significant chance, forcing Sorrento goalkeeper James Morgan to make to make a top-corner save in the 15th minute.

Sorrento’s Alex Morgan had a golden opportunity to open the scoring on the half hour, however, he couldn’t convert his volley in front of goal.

After a tight first half it was Knowles to break the deadlock on 52 minutes.

The striker latched onto a through ball, before driving towards goal and scoring at the near post.

Shortly after Sorrento’s Jordan Dodd was one-on-one with the keeper but was too slow to react to Ross Millard's last ditch slide tackle.

Alex Morgan was denied shortly after. An outstretched Feely saved only as far as the goal line before Jackson Morgan made a weak clearance and Feely put the ball out for a corner.

Sorrento came close to equalising in the 81st minute when Sean Canham got on the end of a cross but his rocket of a shot was spectacularly saved by Feely.

Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell said his side was unlucky.

“We had three or four really good opportunities. They had one in the second half and they scored from it and that’s what’s cost us in the end,” he said.

“It was disappointing for us because I don’t think it was a fair result.”

Sorrento 0
Perth Glory 1 (Knowles 52 mins)
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Venue: Percy Doyle Reserve
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Daniel Cole, Andre Ferreira

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN, 7. Alex MORGAN, 9. Sean CANHAM, 11. Tim HILL, 13. Steven MCDONALD (c), 14. Matthew SPARROW, 16. Niccolo SABATTINI (5. Billy QUINNCROFT 76), 18. Jordan BROWN, 20. Brad MCDONALD, 25. Joshua TUCKER (6. Daryl PLATTEN 80), 27. Brodie KENNEDY (21. Jordan DODD 59)
Substitutes not used: 29. Razack GELOO, 60. Sam HERBISON.
Yellow cards: Tucker 25’, Alex Morgan 70’, Sabatini 72’
Red cards: nil

Perth Glory: 1. Nicholas FEELY, 2. Gian ALBANO, 3. Jack IREDALE, 4. Jackson MORGAN, 5. Ross MILLARD, 6. Calvin WHITNEY, 7. Yacoub MUSTAFA, 8. Dejan SPASESKI, 9. Joseph KNOWLES (c), 10. Daniel STYNES (15. Sam McKearnen 68), 11. Nic TALIMDZIOSKI
Substitutes not used: 12. Sean TROUP, 13. Choc DAO, 14. Ben JOHNS, 20. Riley STEPHENSON
Yellow cards: Talimdzioski 82’
Red cards: nil