Report by Peter Simcox

Sorrento skipper Daryl Platten’s injury time goal has given the Gulls a heart stopping 3-2 win against Cockburn City in a rescheduled Round 17 match at Percy Doyle Reserve on Wednesday evening.

Platten got on the end of a cross from Steven McDonald to head the winner on 97 minutes and set off wild celebrations from players and supporters alike.

The win puts the Gulls in fifth position with 38 points, equal with Floreat Athena and ECU Joondalup.

Alex Morgan had given the hosts the lead early but a double from Liam Murray put the Cockerels in front at the break. Reece Vittiglia levelled on the hour before Platten stole the show.

The goal for Platten was his first for a while and he said it was a great feeling to score such an important goal for the club.

“We never do things easy do we,” Platten said. “We controlled the match early and looked on course at 1-0 but we switched off, and credit to Cockburn they hit back and went in with the lead at the break.

“I was convinced we had a penalty early in the second half when I was cleaned up but we scored moments later and went on to win, so I’m happy, and bring on Perth on Saturday.”

Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell said the win continues their good run and sets up a huge game on Saturday.

“On the balance I thought we had the better chances tonight but I knew Cockburn wouldn’t make it easy for us,” he said.

“We thought we’d missed out tonight but it was nice to see Daryl get forward and score the winner to make it six wins on the bounce.”

Harnwell said a first half fade almost cost them.

“We took our foot of the pedal once we had the lead and Cockburn have some good players in their side and it gave them confidence,” he said.

“But I was delighted with the character our boys showed to get the result in the end and we now head into Saturday’s game against Perth full of confidence; it should be a cracker.”

The home side were on top from the first whistle, creating a number of chances and their dominance was rewarded with the lead on 19 minutes.

Matthew Sparrow’s ball into the penalty area found Alex Morgan, who made no mistake from close-range.

Sorrento continued to dictate terms and Sean Canham headed inches wide before Alex Morgan’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was saved by Luke Radonich.

Cockburn, who secured their NPL survival last week, hit back and levelled on 34 minutes. Good work on the left by Riley Woodcock saw the former Perth Glory defender cross to Murray, who finished well from 10m.

The visitors were ahead three minutes later, Murray bagging his second finishing clinically from 8m.

Cockburn almost added a third in stoppage time. Sorrento didn’t clear their lines from a corner and Reuben Tristao’s shot from the edge of the penalty area flashed over the top.

Sorrento’s finals hopes were fading and they needed a good start to the second half. Sparrow fired wide after good approach work from Vittiglia.

Cockburn were still dangerous going forward and David Araya’s flick dropped on top of the net after he was picked out by Woodcock.

The home side were convinced they should have had a penalty when Cameron Edwards brought down Platten on 56 minutes but referee Steven Gregory waved away their protests.

But two minutes the home side got the equaliser they craved. Canham played the ball back to Vittiglia, who finished clinically past Radonich.

The game took another twist on 72 minutes after Cockburn custodian Radonich damaged an ankle after falling awkwardly after punching Niccolo Sabatini’s in-swinging corner.

With the keeper unable to continue and Cockburn not having a keeper on the bench, goal-scorer Murray took the gloves.

Sorrento pressed but they were struggling to get a decent shot on target to test Murray. The best fell to Canham, whose header bounced off the crossbar.

Both sides had late chances to win it. Jesse Lazzaro picked out Woodcock whose shot flashed wide of the target for Cockburn, before Vittiglia darted into the box but Euen Grant got back with a great last-ditch tackle.

It looked like Sorrento’s top four hopes were gone but with Platten’s last touch of the game the Gulls remain contenders.

Sorrento 3 (A. Morgan 19min, Vittiglia 58’, Platten 97’)
Cockburn City 2 (Murray 34min, 37’)
Tuesday August 24 2016
Venue: Percy Doyle Reserve
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistants: Julian Serra, Simon Hicks

Sorrento: GK James MORGAN, 6 Daryl PLATTEN (C), 7 Alex MORGAN (27 Brody KENNEDY 97’), 8 Ryan PEARSON, 9 Sean CANHAM, 13 Steven MCDONALD, 14 Matthew SPARROW, 16 Niccolo SABATINI, 17 Reece VITTIGLIA, 20 Brad MCDONALD (11 Tim HILL 70’), 25 Joshua TUCKER (18 Jordan BROWN 46’)
Subs not used: RGK Sam HERBISON, 4 Sean KILKELLY
Yellow cards: Platten 57’, Sparrow 70’, S. McDonald 83’

Cockburn City: GK Luke RADONICH (12 Andrew EMSAVANA 74’), 4 Euen GRANT (C), 6 Reuben TRISTAO, 7 Riley WOODCOCK, 20 Josh KUSER, 8 Cameron EDWARDS (11 Harry O’BRIEN 58’), 14 Liam MURRAY, 10 David ARAYA, 16 Daniel DOLS, 17 Jesse LAZZARO (13 Blake ADAMS 88’), 18 Aden DE LUZ
Subs not used: 3 Nathan DE ABREU
Yellow cards: Nil