Report by Aisling Lawless

 

A 5-0 win over newly promoted Mandurah City on Saturday lifted Sorrento FC to second on the PS4 NPLWA leagues table, continuing their unbeaten start to the season.

Jack Salter’s 45^th minute goal preceded a busy second half, which included a 66^th minute own goal from captain Andrew Brown and Sean Canham’s extra time penalty.

Earlier goals from Canham in the 89^th minute and Alex Morgan in the 69^th gave the Gulls an impressive score.

Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell thought side tried to be too clever in the first half and needed to show Mandurah more respect.

“But in the second half we kept it simple, moved the ball quickly and made a lot of space for ourselves,” he said.

“We’ve got a few new players who have gelled well, and if you want to be successful, which the club is trying to work towards, then you need to have these unbeaten runs.”

A final third intercept and through ball from Jordan Rhodes on the half hour mark was the first in a quick series of chances for Mandurah, but they were unable to convert them.

Despite heavy pressure Sorrento broke the deadlock in the 45^th minute when Salter tapped in a pass across goal from Billy Quinncroft.

An immediate response from Mandurah saw them test Sorrento’s defence, but Joseph O’Brien’s shot went wide.

Two quick second half goals put Mandurah on the back foot, with Scott Witschge forcing an own goal from Brown in the 66^th minute.

Three minutes later Sorrento substitute Morgan made an immediate impact, smashing the ball into the net from a Canham pass down the wing.

A stretched backline left Mandurah susceptible and Canham didn’t hesitate to slot the ball past keeper Brad Eiffe in the 89^th minute.

Canham doubled his tally with a penalty conversion five minutes later after Eiffe fouled a Sorrento player in the last moments of the match.

While Mandurah coach Doug Hesketh was understandably disappointed with the end result, he thought his side matched Sorrento for most of the game.

“I don’t think we deserved to be five goals down, I thought we played good football, but at the end of the day that’s the standard we are playing at– we have to take it, get on with it and improve next week,” he said.

“The difference in this league is if you make a mistake you get punished.

“You’ve got to be consistent for long periods and concentration is probably one of the biggest things we need to have.

“It will be embarrassing for a couple of days, but I think we are travelling well and have really stepped up.”

 

Sorrento FC 5 (Salter 45min, OG 66, Morgan 69, Canham 89’, 90 + 4’)

Mandurah City 0

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Percy Doyle Reserve, Duncraig

Kick-off: 7:00pm

Referee: Steven Gregory

Assistant Referees: Shuo Chen, Adrien Liechti

4^th Official: Frank Moretti

 

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN, 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 5. Billy QUINNCROFT (9. Sean CANHAM 60’), 8. Ryan PEARSON, 10. Scott BULLOCH (7. Alex MORGAN, 67’), 11. Timothy HILL, 14. Scott WITSCHGE (21. Spiro DIMITRIOU 74’), 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 18. Jordan BROWN, 19. Jack SALTER, 20. Brad MCDONALD.

Substitutes not used: 2. Jacob SHORE, 60. Anthony SALPIETRO (RGK)

Yellow cards: Canham, 84’

Red cards: Nil.

 

Mandurah City: GK Brad EIFFE, 2. Mitchell FIRTH, 3. Jeffrey BRIGHT (12. Alex CLARKE 75’), 4. Jordan RHODES, 5. Daniel DYSON, 8 Andrew BROWN (c), 6. Joseph O’BRIEN (14. Mark MCLAUGHLIN 75’), 7. Jack EADES, 9. Craig TONE (13. Slade RULE 81’), 10. Sean TROUP, 11. Ryan FRANCIS

Substitutes not used:  RGK Cyril SHARROCK

Yellow Cards: GK 90 + 3’, Eades 50’

Red Cards: Nil