Report by Jayden Lihou

Forrestfield United recorded consecutive wins for the first time this NPL WA season following a 2-0 defeat of Sorrento at Wildlife Safari Stadium on Saturday.

Goals on either side of half-time from Hasani Sinclair and Antione Lemaire proved to be the difference as Forrestfield move into the top half of the table.

Forrestfield coach Rod Banjac praised his side’s maturity and believes they will only get better as the season progresses.

“It was a polished performance by the boys today and they seem to be getting better by the week,” he said.

“I cannot be happier for the boys and for the club because we’ve never been this high on the ladder.

“We are playing very good, sensible football and are well balanced all over the park and now the boys are getting familiar with what needs to be done to get the result.”

After a relatively quiet start to the game, Forrestfield took the lead when a cross from Rhys Loxley found Sinclair at the far-post who headed the ball home.

Sorrento had a chance to equalise a mere four minutes later when the ball was sliced to Reece Vittiglia in the box, however his shot was denied by keeper Luke Martino.

The visitors had another chance in 38th minute when Danny Jones found himself one-on-one after stealing the ball off a defender, however Martino was up to the task again.

Forrestfield’s lead was doubled just three minutes after the start of the second half with a wonder-strike from Lemarie.

Lemarie found himself with time and space before unleashing an effort from distance that went in off the far post.

After that Forrestfield were content to defend their lead and look for opportunities on the counter attack.

The Gulls continued to dominate possession but lacked the decisive pass in the final third, meaning they would have to suffer a third consecutive loss.

Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell said his side wasn’t ruthless enough as they slumped to second bottom on the ladder.

“In the first-half we played well and created some good chances but they ended up scoring with their first shot and that changed the game,” he said.

“I’m more than confident we can avoid relegation, I’ve got no issues with the quality we have got but we need to start producing results pretty quickly.”

Forrestfield United 2 (Sinclair 22min, Lemarie 48)
Sorrento 0
Saturday, June 9
Wildlife Safari Stadium
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant referees: Stephen Knight, Jatin Lodhia

Forrestfield United: GK. Luke MARTINO, 2. Tom SOUTHGATE, 3. Wilbert TSHABANGU (12. Callum DOBBS 83), 5. Scott BARKER, 8. Mitchell CROCKER, 9. Hasani SINCLAIR (6. Kristian DESPOTOVSKI 86), 10. Jordan HART, 11. Liam MERIGAN (C), 14. Antoine LEMARIE (7. Benjamin ROGERS 72), 15. Jamie STREET, 23. Rhys LOXLEY
Substitutes not used: RGK. Benjamin PARRY, 4. Jamie DUNCAN
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Sorrento: GK. James MORGAN, 3. Jaxon TEMATA, 6. Daryl PLATTEN (C) (31. Conor SHIMMIN 75), 7. Alex MORGAN (19. Jack SALTER 58), 8. Scott WITSCHGE, 11. Timothy HILL, 16. Chris BALAZS, 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 18. Jordan BROWN, 22. Danny JONES (13. Steve MCDONALD 69), 23. Cameron TEECE
Substitutes not used: RGK. Anastasis FARSALEAS, 15. Conor DOLAN
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil