Football West News

Pictured: Sorrento goalkeeper James Morgan in action. Photos: Vince Caratozzolo/www.fotoenzo.com

Former Hearts striker Gordon Smith took just 25 minutes to underline his credentials with the opening goal in ECU Joondalup’s 5-2 win over Balcatta in a round-one QBE Night Series Pool B clash at Percy Doyle Reserve over the weekend.

Oliver Annis bagged a double, Paul Miller scored from a free-kick and former Perth Glory midfielder Steven McGarry was also on target from a set piece as ECU got their Night Series campaign off to a flyer.

Zelfy Nazary’s penalty and a goal for Debaba Mtwale were not enough to rescue the game for Balcatta.

There were plenty of goals earlier in the night at Percy Doyle Reserve when Sorrento twice led Stirling Lions only to suffer a 3-2 defeat.

New Gulls signing Billy Quinncroft opened the scoring and Scott Bulloch restored Sorrento’s lead after Robert Petkov’s equaliser. But Petkov scored again after the break and Miki Vujacic scored a stoppage time winner to break Sorrento hearts.

Reece Vittiglia’s 54th-minute penalty was enough to edge Perth SC to a 1-0 win over Armadale, whose opportunity to equalise went begging when Anthony Skorich’s spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Francis Soale at Inglewood Stadium.

In Pool A, defending champions Floreat Athena opened their account with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Inglewood United. Brian Woodall had opened the scoring for Inglewood but new Floreat signing Declan Hargreaves, who moved from Bayswater City in the off-season, scored an equaliser and Andrew Scaldaferro hit a stoppage time winner at Inglewood Stadium.

At Dalmatinac Park, Bayswater found themselves in familiar territory when David Heagney opened the scoring early in the second half but goals from Hagi Gligor, from the penalty spot, and Kosta Petratos sealed a 2-1 win for Perth Glory.

Cockburn grabbed a 1-0 win over Subiaco courtesy of an own goal, which was the result of Jose Bonilla’s deflected shot.