Teece double saves Sorrento
Report by Ryan Borrett
Sorrento came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Balcatta in a tightly contested match between two sides vying for a top-four finish.
Balcatta and Sorrento came into the match in fourth and fifth place respectively and knew getting a result would not be easy with so much on the line and only two games remaining.
The draw sees both teams now drop outside the top four after Bayswater won their Round 20 clash against Rockingham City.
Balcatta hit the lead early in the match through Calum O’Connell after veteran striker Gavin Knight’s shot was palmed into the path of the Balctatta skipper, who had a simple finish to make it 1-0.
The home side had most of the chances in the first half and O’Connell almost doubled his tally in the 39th minute but his long range free kick only rattled the cross bar.
Sorrento were fairly slow out of the blocks, just as they were last week against Floreat where they had to come from 3-0 down to rescue a draw.
The Gulls were fortunate to be given a great chance to equalise in the 44th minute after Cameron Teece was shoved from behind in the box and referee Matthew Southern gave a penalty.
Teece stepped up to take the penalty and buried the spot kick to make it 1-1 at the break.
Balcatta had the better of the chances in the second half, too, and their positive play saw them go close to taking the lead on more than one occasion.
Finally the home side thought they had found the winning goal when substitute Adam Zimarino struck in the 85th minute. A low cross into the Sorrento box was cleared only as far as Zimarino and he wasted no time in firing in a powerful shot.
But Sorrento top scorer Teece had other ideas and in the 88th minute he showed great control to chest down a high ball, quickly turn and fire a half-volley into the top right-hand corner to score his 11th goal of the season and level it at 2-2.
Despite a few chances in the dying minutes neither side could find a winner and the points ended up being shared between both sides.
Balcatta now sit fifth, level on points with fourth-place Bayswater, and travel to ECU Joondalup next week in their penultimate game this season.
Sorrento host second-bottom Armadale, who will be fighting for survival in a must-win game for both sides.
Star player: Cameron Teece (Sorrento)
Balcatta 2 (O’ Connell 4min, Zimarino 85)
Sorrento 2 (Teece 44 pen, 88)
Sorrento 2 (Teece 44 pen, 88)
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Matthew Southern
Assistant referees: Frank Laval, Jessica Byrd
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Matthew Southern
Assistant referees: Frank Laval, Jessica Byrd
Balcatta: 2. Joseph MARINO, 3. John KEARNEY, 4. Calum O'CONNELL, 9. Gavin KNIGHT (5. Shubham MOKALA 68), 10. Jonathan CORNESS, 12. Robert DEL BORRELLO, 13. Carmelo GIUFFRE, 16. Alex CASTIELLO, 19. Nicholas CHALLOT (11. Adam ZIMARINO 77), 20. Anthony TOPINI (15. Callum STOCKS 90+4)
Substitutes not used: 7. Ben PELLIZZARI, 8. Alex WILD
Yellow cards: Castiello 77, O’Connell 90+6
Red cards: Nil
Substitutes not used: 7. Ben PELLIZZARI, 8. Alex WILD
Yellow cards: Castiello 77, O’Connell 90+6
Red cards: Nil
Sorrento: 1. Matthew GIUDICATTI, 2. David STOKOE, 3. Jakub PRAJZA, 4. Shaun KILKELLY (18. Jordan BROWN 90+4), 7. Alex MORGAN (19. Jack SALTER 68), 8. Scott WITSCHGE, 10. Jordan ROBERTS, 11. Timothy HILL, 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 23. Cameron TEECE, 30. Jesse OWUOUR,
Substitutes not used: 20. Jaxon TEMATA, 32. Tristan STEVENS, 60. Noah BLOCH
Yellow cards: Morgan 34, Prajza 90+3, Kilkelly 90+4
Red cards: Nil
Substitutes not used: 20. Jaxon TEMATA, 32. Tristan STEVENS, 60. Noah BLOCH
Yellow cards: Morgan 34, Prajza 90+3, Kilkelly 90+4
Red cards: Nil
Last Modified on 18/08/2019 01:47
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