Report by Tommy Doleman

Photo by Fotoenzo

Perth stays within touching distance of the top two as Gustavo Catarcione’s hat-trick helped them record a comprehensive 5-0 win over Sorrento.

The Brazilian got the ball rolling with two first half goals in a dominant display from the hosts before an own goal put them three up at the break.

Frank Furfaro netted early in the second half before Catarcione completed his hat-trick with a terrific finish from the edge of the area.

The win puts Perth one point behind second-placed Floreat Athena, but it was the nature of the performance that pleased coach Ramon Falzon, who labeled it as at their intended benchmark.

“The players were fuming after last week, so we transmitted that anger in a positive way,” he said.

“We believe in the way we play our football, we took our chances and kept a clean sheet, so I can’t be happier.

“We’ve had other good performances this season where we’ve missed too many chances, but we know we’ve got the ability and if we can do it against a team like Sorrento we can do it against anyone.

“It was a massive win today because neither of us could afford to drop points. All we can do is make sure we keeping picking up three points and hope for good news elsewhere.”

Falzon also praised Catarcione for his dazzling performance and his leadership with a young Perth group.

“When he’s on song, he’s very dangerous and has the ability to score goals for fun,” he said.

“He’s had a few games where the opposition has locked him down or he hasn’t been at his best, but it was good to see him hit top form today, he’s a very important player for us.”

Furfaro’s pace caused early problems as he breezed through Sorrento’s defense, but James Morgan made a fine low save.

Sorrento came close on 15 minutes when the ball broke to Reece Vittiglia in the area but hooked his shot onto the crossbar.

It was Perth’s encouraging start that was rewarded with the opener as Alex Silla overlapped down the right and crossed for Catarcione to tap home.

The hosts’ top scorer was at it again five minutes later when he collected Lewis Milne’s through ball and slid the ball beyond James Morgan.

Sorrento could have pulled one back when Sean Canham headed over from six yards, but it would be Perth who extended their lead in the shadows of half-time.

Silla’s marauding run stretched Sorrento’s defense once again and McDonald inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

Perth didn’t let up in the second half and continued to press home their advantage.

Furfaro added a fourth goal for the hosts when he collected a ball from the left and slotted in from close range.

Catarcione would then complete his treble as he held off his marker on the edge of the area and fired with precision into the bottom corner.

Alex Morgan and Canham both had chances to score a late consolation goals for the visitors, but was Perth who kept in touch with the top two.

Perth SC 5 (Catarcione 21min, 26, 74, OG 44, Furfaro 53)
Sorrento 0
Saturday July 8, 2017
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: David Bruce

Perth SC: GK: Francis SOALE, 2. Alex SILLA, 5. Niccolo SABBATINI (20. Elliot TATTERSAL 82’), 7. Aleks JOVIC (3. Andreas THEODOSIADES 80’), 8. Tom KING, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE (10. Nicholas AMBROGIO 85’), 12. Jordan DE LEO, 15. Harley ORR, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 17. Frank FURFARO, 18. Lewis MILNE.
Substitutes not used: RGK: Daniel PASSARELLI, 19. Roberto DEL BORRELLO
Yellow Cards: Orr 67
Red Cards: Nil

Sorrento: GK. James MORGAN, 2. Jacob SHORE (12. Josh TUCKER 65’), 8. Ryan PEARSON, 9. Sean CANHAM, 13. Steve MCDONALD, 14 Scott WITSCHGE (7. Alex MORGAN 65’), 15. Brodie MARTIN, 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 18. Jordan BROWN, 20. Brad MCDONALD (11. Tim HILL 80’), 21. Sam BYLES
Substitutes not used: RGK: Anthony SALPIETRO, 6. Darryl PLATTEN
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil