Report by Tommy Doleman

Perth Glory players and fans alike celebrate as they thrash Gwelup Croatia 5-0. Photo by Tom McCarthy

Chris Jackson's first-half hat-trick gave Sorrento a 4-1 win over Inglewood United to lift the Gulls into the thick of the title race.

Jamie Harnwell's side are now four points off top spot in the NPLWA - Men's competition after Floreat and Perth SC were held to home draws on Saturday.

Sorrento got off to a cracking start at Percy Doyle Reserve with the opener coming after only four minutes. Jordan Roberts swung over a deep corner and Jordan Brown arrived to head in his fourth goal this season.

Then the Jackson show began as he netted three times in 24 minutes. The former Armadale striker first followed in Roberts' shot after a good initial save from Josiah Godfrey, before heading home Scott Witschge's cross from the right.

And it was 4-0 and game over on 33 minutes when Witschge flicked on a long ball and Jackson finished in style

Alex Morgan struck the bar after the break as Sorrento threatened a fifth before Roberto Soares provided a late consolation goal for the visitors who drop to sixth.

Replacing United in the top four are Perth Glory, who breezed past Gwelup Croatia with a first-half blitz of their own.

Giordano Colli netted the opener from the penalty spot after Aidan Edwards was fouled and Edwards made it 2-0 when his strike looped into the net, despite a good initial save from Ben Ratajczak.

Jack Painter-Andrews made it three on 23 minutes when he ghosted behind the defence to head in Colli's in-swinging free kick.

Ollie La Galia brought the best out of Cameron Cook with Gwelup's best chance to pull one back, but instead it was Glory who added to their tally.

Joshua Anasmo moved into double figures for the season when he raced away, rounded the goalkeeper and scored into an open net. Ratajczak was then shown a red card for handling outside the area and Adam Zimarino netted his ninth of the season from the resulting free-kick.

The day's other big winners were ECU Joondalup who bounced back from last week's State Cup Final defeat with a 5-1 win at Rockingham.

The Jacks had to come from behind as Feisal Zaw nodded the hosts in front, but Riley Woodcock's first ECU goal five minutes before the break levelled the scores from the edge of the area.

Jakub Prajza also bagged his first for the club early in the second half with a left-footed strike before Andy Higgins made it 3-1 with a finish from a similar position on 57 minutes.

Two late goals completed a strong second half from the defending champions who move within a point of Glory with a game in hand.

Daryl Nicol curled home the fourth on 88 minutes before Danny Hodgson's late penalty – the Englishman’s 11^th goal of the season – made it 5-1.

Armadale are also still in contention for the Top Four Cup after their 2-1 win over Balcatta reduced their margin on fourth spot to five points.

Both teams had plenty of chances in an open game at Grindleford Reserve, but the deadlock wouldn't be broken until 80 minutes when Adriano Jelenovic hooked a magnificent volley into the top corner.

David Cyrus was then sent off as the hosts were reduced to 10 men and Armadale cashed in quickly to make it 2-0 when Vlad Naumovski's cross was turned into his own net by Hristijan Jankuloski.

Isaac Koomsen headed past his own goalkeeper to give Balcatta late hope, but it was John O'Reilly's side who prevailed for a third win in four games.

At the top of the league, leaders Floreat were denied a first win in four after Luke Salmon came off the bench to rescue a late point for Bayswater City.

State Cup winners Floreat took the lead on seven minutes when Sean McManus dinked smartly past an onrushing Nicholas Speca.

But they could not hold on as Salmon's strike from the edge of the area was saved by Jason Saldaris, only for the forward to loop a header in on the follow-up.

That result meant Perth SC had the opportunity to go top of the league, but they were unable to capitalise as they were held to a goalless draw by Cockburn City.

Results

Balcatta 1-2 Armadale
Floreat Athena 1-1 Bayswater City
Perth Glory 5-0 Gwelup Croatia
Perth SC 0-0 Cockburn City
Rockingham City 1-5 ECU Joondalup
Sorrento 4-1 Inglewood United