Stirling, Sorrento start Night Series in style
Football West News
Alex Morgan (No.7) celebrates with Chris Jackson after scoring for Sorrento against Cockburn. Photo by FotoEnzo
Stirling Macedonia returned to top-flight action in style with a spectacular 7-3 win over Floreat Athena in Round One of the NPLWA – Men’s Night Series.
And Sorrento were also big winners, defeating Cockburn City 5-0.
Such a one-sided result look way off after Stirling fell 2-0 behind in the opening 14 minutes at E&D Litis Stadium, Nicholas Ambrogio and Robert Petkov delighting the home crowd.
But from then on it was all Stirling as the promoted side clicked into gear with a four-goal blast before half-time. Alex Taneski grabbed the first, Sam Wynne the equaliser then new recruit Michael Domfeh the third. To cap off the turnaround, Stirling went in at the break 4-2 up following an own goal.
Taneski increased the lead to 5-2 within minutes of the restart, Petkov got his second to offer Floreat a lifeline, but there was no stopping Ian Ferguson’s side as Taneski completed his hat-trick then substitute Shay Donovan capped off the rout.
There was another hat-trick on Friday as a first-half treble from Daryl Nicol helped ECU Joondalup to a 3-2 win over Bayswater City at Dorrien Gardens.
The Scot struck in the seventh, 25th and 32nd minute against his former club. Bayswater replied after the interval through new signing Jon Stynes and Steve Hesketh, but they were unable to find an equaliser.
The third of the Group B games was decided by an Adam Zimarino penalty which gave Perth Glory a 1-0 win over Gwelup Croatia at E&D Litis Stadium.
In Group A, Sorrento hit form with a 5-0 win over Cockburn City at Inglewood Stadium, with Alex Morgan, Chris Jackson (2) and Dean Cummings (2) among the goals.
This game was followed by Inglewood United’s 1-1 draw with Armadale. Angel Andres scored the opener for Armadale just before half-time, with Inglewood substitute Egide Ngendkumana equalising a minute from time.
Also in Group A, Perth SC began with a 3-1 victory over Balcatta. Alex Silla, Shub Mokala and Daniel Zivkovic netted for the 2021 league champions. Amir Ajan netted for Balcatta.
Results
Round One
Group A
Inglewood United 1-1 Armadale
Perth SC 3-1 Balcatta
Sorrento 5-0 Cockburn City
Group B
ECU Joondalup 3-2 Bayswater City
Floreat Athena 3-7 Stirling Macedonia
Perth Glory 1-0 Gwelup Croatia
Fixtures
Round Two
Friday 4 February
Group A
Balcatta v Armadale (Dorrien Gardens 6.30pm)
Perth SC v Cockburn City (Dorrien Gardens 8.30pm)
Group B
Stirling Macedonia v Bayswater City (Macedonia Park 6.30pm)
Floreat Athena v Gwelup Croatia (Macedonia Park 8.30pm)
Saturday 5 February
Group A
Sorrento v Inglewood United (Inglewood Stadium 5pm)
Group B
Perth Glory v ECU Joondalup (Inglewood Stadium 7pm)
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