Report by Louis Granich

Photo by Tom McCarthy

Sorrento are now level on points with Perth Glory after the Gulls ran out 3-2 winners at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday.

The 1pm kick off provided a gritty contest for the neutral, but it was Sorrento’s front three who proved the difference against a Glory side who are struggling to back up their early season form.

The visitors were without three of the squad that lost 5-0 to Perth SC seven days earlier, with Ethan Brooks, Luca Bodnar and Joshua Rawlins all required by A-League coach Tony Popovic to make up the numbers for Glory's high-profile friendly with Manchester United at Optus Stadium.

But they almost caught Sorrento cold as Luke Salmon drove into the opposition box, only for the striker’s penalty appeals to be waved away by the assistant referee.

The Gulls then began to find their rhythm and they broke deadlock in the 25th minute when Alex Morgan escaped his marker and volleyed home a corner, the winger’s finish hitting the woodwork before finding its way into the back of the net.

Sorrento very nearly doubled their advantage moments later when Jack Salter danced past two Glory defenders, but the midfielder failed to keep his shot down with the goal at his mercy.

Glory then made the hosts pay with a set-piece of their own. Alessandro Cicarti spectacularly met Jordan Abrahams’ corner and his effort flew into the back of the net via the post.

With the match delicately poised at half time, it was the home side who came out firing. Gulls marksman Cameron Teece latched on the end of a poor Glory clearance and effortlessly lobbed Jackson Lee to regain the lead for his side in the 46th minute.

Teece then turned provider for Jordan Roberts, whose powerful left-footed strike smashed the underside of the crossbar and narrowly bounced over the goalline.

Richard Garcia’s side were given a lifeline in the 79th minute when substitute Jayden Leader played in Jaidon Selden. The winger’s near-post finish was aided by a slight deflection from defender David Stokoe.

Glory then pushed for an equaliser but Jamie Harnwell’s men defended well and managed to secure the victory.

This win keeps Sorrento eighth on the NPL table but puts distance between themselves and the bottom four clubs. Glory on the other hand are without a win in five matches and will hope to bounce back against ECU Joondalup in a fortnight's time.

Star player: Alex Morgan (Sorrento)

Sorrento 3 (Morgan 25min, Teece 46, Roberts 75)
Perth Glory 2 (Cicarti 27, Selden 79)

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN, 2. David STOKOE, 3. Jakub PRAJZA, 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 5. Scott ROBERTSON, 7. Alex MORGAN, 10. Jordan ROBERTS, 19. Jack SALTER, 23. Cameron TEECE, 30. Jesse OWUOUR, 32. Tristian STEVENS (16. Daniel PEARCE)
Substitutes not used: 12. Sam FAULKNER, 14. Reece ABRAMS 17 Reece VITTIGLIA, 60. Matthew GIUDICATTI
Yellow cards: Stevens 41, Salter 90+1
Red cards: Nil


Perth Glory: GK: Jackson LEE, 2. Zayd FARAH, 3. Abais BAKURA, 4. Jacob MUIR, 5. Alessandro CICARTI, 6. Josh SAMSON, 7. Jaidon SELDON, 8. Jack LEECH, 9. Luke SALMON, 10. Jordan ABRAHAMS 11. Gomo DUKULY. (12 Cameron MURRAY) (18. Jayden LEADER)
Substitutes not used: RGK: Nicholas SPECA, 21 Ciran BRAMWELL
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil