Report by Tommy Doleman

Perth Glory and Sorrento met in the fifth Regional Festival of Football match on Saturday, the second visit to Geraldton

Perth Glory boosted their hopes of a top four finish as they defeated Sorrento 1-0 in the Mid West Festival of Football clash in Geraldton.

The win put Glory within a point of the Gulls in the NPLWA – Men’s competition and gives them a 3-2 overall lead in the five Regional Cup meetings between the sides since 2017.

The first of those fixtures was also played in Geraldton, with Sorrento winning 2-0 on that occasion. However, Glory just edged Saturday’s encounter at Wonthella Oval.

They had the first chance when Ciaran Bramwell headed the wrong side of the post. And after Sorrento Jordan Brown headed straight at keeper Cameron Cook, it was Glory who threatened again through Charlie Leech and Bramwell.

Jamie Harnwell's side started the second half with better intent but it was a double substitution from Chris Coyne, including the introduction of striker Joshua Anasmo, which ultimately proved decisive.

Sorrento captain Shaun Kilkelly sliced his clearance straight up in the air and Golden Boot leader Anasmo attacked the ball and headed in his eighth goal of the season before performing an acrobatic flip in celebration.

Bryce Bafford hit the bar soon after as Glory looked for a second. But they had to survive an almighty penalty area scramble in stoppage time to hang on for the three points and put themselves in the play-off picture.

"We knew Sorrento was always going to be tough ... they are a big threat in the air ... but I reckon we did a great job especially the defence," Anasmo said.

"The celebration was something me and the boys talked about in training and they said I should do it if I scored."

Elsewhere around the division, Michael Domfeh scored the winner as Perth SC moved above ECU Joondalup into second spot with a 1-0 win over the defending champions.

ECU’s Andy Higgins and Kristian Santich of Perth both tried their luck from range in a first half of few chances.

It was a similar story in the second haf, as Calvin Whitney volleyed Santich's cross wide and Daryl Nicol forced Ryan Montgomery into a sharp save, before Domfeh broke the deadlock on 73 minutes.

The former Perth Glory player was on the end of a sweeping counter attack as he slid home Whitney's through ball for what would prove to be the winner in a game of fine margins.

ECU Joondalup's defeat meant unbeaten Floreat Athena were able to open up a six-point lead at the top of the division following a 3-1 win at home to Armadale.

Last week's two-goal hero Chris Saldaris headed in the opener three minutes before the break after Dean Evans' corner from the right.

The home side doubled their lead midway through the second period when Sean McManus' cross came off an Armadale defender and broke to the feet of Rob Harding who netted for the second time this year.

The visitors gave themselves hope with six minutes to play as Vlad Naumovski tapped in Chad Nilson's cross. But as they have done all season ,Floreat found the answers and they made the game safe when Andrew Palmer bundled in to extend Floreat's unbeaten streak to 10.

Gwelup Croatia maintained their position in the top half of the league despite giving away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Bayswater.

Bayswater great Gustavo Marulanda made a sensational return to Frank Drago Reserve as he chipped audaciously over the goalkeeper from outside the area to haunt his former side four minutes in.

Things got even better for Trevor Morgan's side on 28 minutes when another former Bayswater player Declan Hargreaves swung over a corner and Blair Govan towered over the defence to head in for 2-0.

Bayswater were on a run of five defeats in six coming into this one, but they showed great resolve to turn it around and rescue a point in the final 17 minutes.

Youngster Daniel Katz came off the bench to play a key role as he thumped in a screamer from 30 yards to give Gareth Naven's side hope. Then in the final minute, Gordon Smith rose in style before heading in Katz’s free-kick to salvage the draw.

Bayswater finished the game with 10 men after skipper Steve Hesketh was dismissed deep into stoppage time following a foul on Paul Zimarino.

Ten-man Balcatta won for the first time since Round Two as they defeated Rockingham City 1-0 to move five points clear of the league’s bottom club.

Hristijan Jankuloski was shown a straight red card by referee Shane Skinner when Feisal Zaw was brought down when through on goal.

And that was a major turning point, as David Perich netted the winner on 66 minutes when he latched onto Calum O'Connell's through ball and arrowed a great finish into the bottom corner.

Cockburn City also pulled further clear of Rockingham after a 1-1 home draw with Inglewood United.

The visitors were in good form and extended their unbeaten run to four, taking the lead on the hour through Steve Sokol's penalty.

But their lead lasted only four minutes as Sebastian Da Silva's third goal of the season pulled Inglewood three points clear of the foot of the table.

Results

Balcatta 1-0 Rockingham City
Bayswater City 2-2 Gwelup Croatia
Cockburn City 1-1 Inglewood United
Floreat Athena 3-1 Armadale
Perth Glory 1-0 Sorrento
Perth SC 1-0 ECU Joondalup