Report by Tommy Doleman
 
 
Substitute Paul Zimarino scored in the 90th minute as Perth edged Sorrento 2-1 to record their first win of the NPL WA season.

The Gulls could have led early yet Kristian Santich struck against the run as Perth led after a topsy-turvy first half.
 
Shaun Kilkelly’s second-half equaliser looked like it would give the visitors a point, but Zimarino had the final say when he finished Rocco Pizzata’s cross with stoppage time looming.
 
With goals coming from two of Perth’s younger players, match winner Zimarino praised the club’s coaching set-up for giving him an opportunity in the first team.
 
“It’s always good (to come off the bench and make an impact), but the most important thing is the three points,” he said.
 
“The club always back you in and over the years you can see the youth coming through as most of our squad have been there.
 
“You just know that if you work hard and take your chance, there’s a chance to play the following week and it just show what can happen when there’s faith in the youth players.”
 
Sorrento started brightly and had three big chances to open the scoring before Perth took advantage of their opposition’s profligacy.
 
Jack Salter nipped in ahead of Pizzata and flashed wide, while Reece Vittigilia was denied by an excellent block from Francis Soale soon after.

Jordan Brown’s final touch from another Sorrento corner went past the post, before Perth woke up as they had a succession of opportunities themselves.
 
Niccolo Sabbatini was wasteful from the penalty spot when he shot over from 12 yards, but the home side didn’t have to wait much longer to make the Gulls pay.
 
A slick Perth move involving Aleks Jovic and Gustavo Catarcione ended with Santich volleying coolly past an advancing James Morgan.
 
Perth should have doubled their lead five minutes before the break when Richard Howles headed over from close range after Catarcione linked up with Sabbatini.
 
The home side continued their momentum early in the second half as Morgan blocked at the near post from Howles, but Sorrento looked dangerous on the break and levelled just after the hour mark.
 
Jordan Roberts’ free-kick from the left went through several bodies in the area and Kilkelly was on the spot to tap in from close range.
 
Chances were traded after that as Morgan denied Howles once again with a stunning fingertip save before Salter curled over from the edge of the penalty area.
 
Perth had a golden chance with eight minutes to go as substitutes Frank Furfaro and Zimarino combined with the latter volleying over from close range.
 
A winner would come, though, as Zimarino made amends. He got across his marker and glanced into the far corner to give the hosts their first win of the 2018 season.
 
Perth coach Ramon Falzon was pleased with his team’s response after their surprising loss to Perth Glory last week.
 
“It feels good to get the late winner. The boys showed plenty of character and it was important for us to get going,” he said.
 
“We’ve managed to sneak that (late) goal several times in the last couple of years, so I was confident we could win it late on.
 
“We got back to basics, reinforced our playing style, focused on the good things and the boys went out and delivered the result.
 
“It’s always pleasing to see two young players work hard, score and get their reward, it’s a massive satisfaction for the club.”
 
Perth SC 2 (Santich 25mins, Zimarino 90’)
Sorrento 1 (Kilkelly 63’)
Saturday March 3, 2018
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: Adam Fielding

Perth SC: GK: Francis SOALE, 4. Adrian MADASCHI, 5. Niccolo SABBATINI (17. Frank FURFARO 56’), 6. Harley ORR, 7. Aleksander JOVIC (10. Nicholas AMBROGIO 71’), 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 14. Kristian SANTICH, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 18. Richard HOWLES (20. Paul ZIMARINO 79’).
Substitutes not used: RGK: Daniel PASSARELLI, 2. Alex SILLA
Yellow Cards: Sabbatini 37’, Jovic 63’, De Leo 74’, Orr 79’
Red Cards: Nil
 
Sorrento: GK: James MORGAN, 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 6. Daryl PLATTEN, 7. Alex MORGAN (10. Jordan ROBERTS 62’), 8. Ryan PEARSON, 11. Tim HILL (21. Godwin DARKA 62’), 14. Scott WITSCHGE, 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 18. Jordan BROWN, 19. Jack SALTER, 20. Brad MCDONALD
Substitutes not used: RGK: Anastasis FARSALEAS, 22. Danny JONES, 26. Joel PROUT
Yellow Cards: Pearson 76’, Roberts 76’
Red Cards: Nil