Report by Saxon Durrant

League leaders Sorrento left Dalmatinac Park as the second best team on Saturday afternoon as a strong Cockburn City performance wasn’t enough to claim all three points in a 1-1 draw.

With Sorrento unbeaten all season heading into the fixture, an obvious height and physical advantage went to Sorrento, with the Gulls seizing control of the game early to go 1-0 up after nine minutes.

Two Sorrento opportunities were cleared off the line before Alex Morgan chested down the ball and cut inside Cockburn defender Daniel Dols.

After placing the ball on his right foot, the Sorrento attacker curled his effort perfectly into the right hand corner, past Cockburn goalkeeper Luke Radonich.

After a missed opportunity from Sorrento’s Jordan Brown in the 18th minute, Cockburn began to find their rhythm and hold onto the ball, creating chances of their own.

Harry O’Brien was played in a couple of times but found both shots saved on a difficult day in front of goal for the striker.

Half time came as Cockburn started the second half in control where they left off.

Always threatening, the Cockerels found their equaliser 13 minutes into the second half, with 19-year-old debutant Daniel Robinson who finished tapping the ball past Morgan.

Chances came for Cockburn with O’Brien shooting wide moments later and Reuben Tristao shooting into the gloves of Sorrento goalkeeper James Morgan in the 60th minute.

Radonich was called into action twice to save from Scott Witschge and a tense final five minutes saw no team able to break the deadlock as a fascinating game saw both teams come out with an equal share.
Cockburn striker Daniel Robinson said it felt unreal to score his first goal on debut, especially against league leaders Sorrento.

“They’re [Sorrento defenders] big boys, it was tough but I gave it my all and came out with the goal in the end,” Robinson said.

Cockburn coach Scott Miller was incredibly pleased with his team’s performance after the 1-1 draw.

“Fifteen minutes into the game I thought we’d need extra numbers on the scoreboard as they dominated us that much,” Miller said.

“Massive respect for them [Sorrento] because they showed why they are up there, I thought we dominated and they still held on for a draw,” Miller said.

Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell said his side didn’t play well enough and that Cockburn were unlucky not to win the game.

“We started great, in the first ten minutes we were superb and then we thought we were better than what we were,” Harnwell said.

“If we play like that week in and week out we won’t be top for much longer.”

Sorrento hold onto their four point buffer at the top after Floreat lost to Armadale in another fixture, and Cockburn keep their impressive season going in third place, two points behind Floreat in second.

Cockburn City 1 (Robinson 58min)
Sorrento 1 (Morgan 9min)
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Dalmatinac Park
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Referee: Michal Jasinski
Assistant Referees: Arvin Shanmuganathan, Mark Watkins

Cockburn City: 1. Luke Radonich, 3. Daniel Dols, 5. Chris Thackray, 6. Reuben Tristao, 8. Cameron Edwards, 9. Daniel Robinson, 11. Harry O’Brien, 12. Kenel Mouithys, 13. Blake Adams, 16. Calvin Whitney, 17. Jesse Lazzaro
Substitutes not used: 7. Ali Gholami, 14. Julian Teles, 15. James Oldfield, 18. Ryan Pratt, 23. Ryan Barker
Yellow Cards: nil
Red Cards: nil

Sorrento: 1. James Morgan, 2. Jacob Shore, 4. Shaun Kilkenny, 5. Billy Quinncroft (10. Scott Bulloch 72’), 7. Alex Morgan, 13. Steve McDonald, 14. Scott Witschge, 18. Jordan Brown, 19. Jack Salter, 20. Brad McDonald, 21. Sam Byles
Substitutes not used: 60. Anthony Salpietro, 6. Daryl Platten, 23. Joshua Tucker, 11. Timothy Hill
Yellow Cards: nil
Red Cards: nil