Report by Tommy Doleman

Perth Glory and Sorrento have met in four Regional Cup matches, with two wins each

The race for the top four is in focus this weekend as Perth Glory and Sorrento meet in Saturday’s Regional Festival of Football match in Geraldton.

The Round 10 fixture at Wonthella Oval sees a clash between fifth and fourth in the Men’s NPLWA and with the Gulls currently four points clear of Glory, it could shape as a key game for both finals’ hopefuls.

It is the second time these two have faced off in Geraldton after 2017’s inaugural Regional Cup encounter saw Sorrento prevail 2-0 thanks to goals from Sean Canham and Reece Vittiglia.

Both sides have won two of the four annual fixtures played in country WA and Sorrento forward Scott Witschge said there was plenty of motivation for the Gulls to perform well up north.

“We’re split overall in the regional games, so we want to get back on the right side of that, but also continue our good run of form,” Witschge said.

“We really want to keep that momentum going and solidify our place in the top four. A good result here can really help set us up for the second half of the season, so we’re really up for it and want to go there and win.

“It’s cool to be able to take games out to the regions. The local community comes out, there’s usually a good crowd involved and the region puts on a bit of a spectacle with plenty happening for the kids, so it’s a bit different to playing in front of our local fans.”

Witschge played in this fixture back in 2017 but has evolved as a player significantly this season, leading the line for Jamie Harnwell’s side and scoring five times in eight games to sit equal third in the Golden Boot race.

With Sorrento losing top scorer Cameron Teece in the off-season, the former Inglewood player has enjoyed the challenge of playing more centrally in 2021.

“I came into the league as a right back and was signed by Sorrento as a winger. In this system, I perhaps envisaged playing as a wing back, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing up front,” Witschge said.

“I’ve done a lot of work in training which has come with its own challenges of playing centrally instead of out wide. I’ve been able to get in behind the likes of Billy (Quinncroft) and Al (Alex Morgan), take advantage of some higher defensive lines and be lucky enough get on the end of good chances my teammates are creating.

“I came off an ankle injury in the off-season when Jamie and Steve (Neville) said they wanted me to play up front. We didn’t really have much success with it in the Night Series, but since the season kicked off we found our identity really early on with how we want to play.”

Perth Glory also come into this fixture in good form, losing just once in their past five games and rediscovering their attacking edge with 12 goals in those matches.

Bryce Bafford was one of the team’s breakout stars in 2020, having netted nine goals in 16 games, and going on to make his senior debut with Glory in last season’s Asian Champions League.

The forward has scored in back-to-back wins over Balcatta and Rockingham in the past fortnight and is excited by the challenge posed an experienced Sorrento outfit.

“There’s a lot of motivation to go out there and get a result. We want to win every game and this is no different,” he said.

“This is a good opportunity for us to stay in touch with the top four and that’s what we’re aiming to achieve with a win on the weekend. We need to start well, be good on the ball and manage the game well, but we also love getting up for these physical battles against experienced sides and all the boys will be fighting hard together.”

“It’s good to bring this game out to the regional areas again. Last year it was really well attended in Albany and was exciting to play in front of the fans there, so it’s something we’ll be looking forward to again on Saturday. It definitely helps us get up for the game when there’s a crowd and we’re hoping we’ll have a few fans and some support on our side.”

The game kicks off at 3pm and will be followed by the women’s Regional Cup game between Fremantle City and Hyundai NTC (5pm).

There is also a double-header at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday. Perth SC can leapfrog ECU Joondalup and move into second place in the NPLWA – Men’s competition when the sides meet. The match is followed by the Azzurri’s NPLWA - Women’s team side taking on 2020 champions MUM FC immediately.

League leaders Floreat Athena, who won 2-1 at ECU last week, host Armadale. The other game involving a top-half side sees Gwelup travel to out-of-form Bayswater City aiming to build on Trevor Morgan’s first league win last Saturday.

Cockburn City hope to bounce back from their 5-1 defeat to Gwelup when they host an Inglewood side unbeaten in three, while Balcatta host Rockingham in a potential six-pointer at the bottom of the table.

Fixtures (3pm)

Balcatta v Rockingham City

Bayswater City v Gwelup Croatia

Cockburn City v Inglewood United

Floreat Athena v Armadale

Perth Glory v Sorrento (in Geraldton)

Perth SC v ECU Joondalup